Algerians rally against Bouteflika

Algerians rally against Bouteflika
Hundreds of thousands of Algerians rallied on Friday (March 22) to demand the immediate resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who is fighting for his political survival in the face of unrelenting protests and the desertion of long-time allies, Reuters reported.

The march remained largely peaceful with police using tear gas only in isolated cases such as to stop youth approaching the presidential palace, a Reuters reporter and state news agency APS said.

Despite heavy rain and cold weather, the turnout was as large as last Friday, as protesters carrying the national flag packed central Algiers, the scene of mass protests for a month.

“We stay here until the whole system goes,” said Mahmoud Timar, a 37-year old teacher.

Bouteflika, 82 and rarely seen in public since suffering a stroke five years ago, bowed to the protesters last week by reversing plans to stand in elections for a fifth term.

But he stopped short of quitting as head of state and said he would stay on until a new constitution is adopted. The move further enraged Algerians, and many of Bouteflika’s allies have turned against him.

“We are close to victory. The system is divided,” said restaurant owner Rachid Zemmir, 55.

There were also protests in other cities such as Serif, El Oued and Skikda, television footage showed.

Algerians say Bouteflika, who joined the struggle against France in the 1950s at the age of 19, is out of touch and living in the past.

By nightfall most protesters had gone, after cleaning up the streets as they have done in previous weeks.

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