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Algeria top official quits as students keep up protest
ALGIERS, April 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – In yet more upheaval for Algeria since
the ousting of long-time leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the controversial head
of the country’s constitutional council quit Tuesday bowing to weeks of anger
from protesters.
Tayeb Belaiz’s resignation was announced by state television and comes as
the council prepares to oversee a presidential election.
The 70-year-old is one of the “3B” top figures targeted by demonstrators
in mass rallies which prompted the departure of Bouteflika this month.
Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui and Abdelkader Bensalah — who served as
upper house speaker until being appointed interim president after Bouteflika
quit — have also faced calls to step down.
“We will continue what we have started,” said university student Linda,
one of thousands taking part in a protest Tuesday in central Algiers.
Police were massively deployed around the capital’s post office building,
the focal point of anti-government rallies which first erupted in February.
“Free Algeria,” chanted protests, who rallied outside the iconic
building.
Despite Bensalah calling a presidential election on July 4,
demonstrations have continued as Algerians call for a broader overhaul of the
political system.
The interim president has defended his appointment, but protesters are
demanding regime stalwarts be entirely excluded from any political
transition.
“We will continue to march until a transitional (authority) led by clean
politicians is set up,” medical student Mira Laifa told AFP.
“The people want them all to leave,” chanted the crowds, in reference to
the interim authorities. – Bouteflika adviser –
Demonstrators fear that the election will not be free and fair if they
are held under the same judicial framework and institutions as those of the
Bouteflika regime.
The interim president said his appointment was in line with
constitutional rules, and pledged to hold a transparent vote.
The constitutional council which Belaiz resigned from plays a key role in
elections, vetting candidates and ensuring the regularity of the polls.
The outgoing council chief was close to Bouteflika, who was shown handing
his resignation letter to Belaiz in footage broadcast by state media last
week.
The ailing president had on February 10 appointed his adviser Belaiz —
who has also served as justice minister — to head the constitutional council
for the second time.
The same day Bouteflika announced he would seek a fifth term in polls
initially scheduled for April, despite rarely being seen in public since a
2013 stroke.
His bid to cling to power sparked mass demonstrations which spread
nationwide and ultimately prompted the president to resign on April 2 after
two decades in power.
Despite Bouteflika’s resignation, Algerians have kept up their
demonstrations to call for a broad overhaul of the political system.
BSS/AFP/RY/20:35 hrs