Tens of thousands of people in cities across Algeria called on President Abdelaz...
ALGIERS - Tens of thousands of people in cities across Algeria called on President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to leave office on Friday in the country’s biggest anti-government demonstrations since the Arab Spring eight years ago.
One person died, according to a local official. Local media said it was a 60-year-old man who suffered a heart attack. Large scale demonstrations - rarely seen in Algeria - against plans for Bouteflika to seek a fifth term in power in April elections began a week ago, but Friday saw the biggest turnout yet.
Among the crowd was Djamila Bouhired, 83, a heroine of the 1954-1962 independence war against France, who told reporters: “I’m happy to be here.”“This is a celebration, not a protest. We are celebrating Algeria’s rebirth,” said Ali Selmi. “It’s like the end of a football match and Algeria won 3-0.”Reuters TV footage from later showed police in riot gear and protesters facing off on a street near the presidential palace swathed in tear gas. Witnesses said clashes caused injuries on both sides.
Local television stations reported the protests but there was no live coverage. State television and the official news agency APS both provided rare coverage of the march which they said had been largely peaceful. According to Bouteflika’s opponents, there is no evidence he is fit enough to lead the country and that it is being ruled in his name by advisers. Authorities say he retains a firm grip on public affairs despite the rarity of his appearances.
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