Algerian army chief asks for presidency to be vacated

Algeria's army chief Ahmed Gaed Salah asked on Tuesday (March 26) for the presidency to be vacated as he deems popular demands to be valid after a month of mass protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, state media said.

Based on Article 52 of the Algerian constitution, the chairman of parliament's upper house, Abdelkader Bensalah, would serve as caretaker president for at least 45 days.

The article applies under certain conditions, such as deteriorating health. Bouteflika, 82, has rarely appeared in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been protesting for nearly five weeks calling on Bouteflika to step down after 20 years in power.