Abdelkader Bensalah named interim president

ALGIERS: The Algerian parliament named speaker Abdelkader Bensalah as interim President.

Bensalah succeeds veteran leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika who recently stepped down after 20 years of ruling the oil-rich north African country.

Bensalah, who is due to serve for 90 days in his new post, said, “I am required by national duty to take on this heavy responsibility of steering a transition that will allow the Algerian people toe exercise their sovereignty.”

“We must work to allow the Algerian people to elect their president as soon as possible,” he stated. Besnalah vowed to hold elections within 90 days.

In a televised speech, Bensalah stated that he would not participate in these elections as the constitution bars the interim president from vying for the post.

He added that he would start consultations with political parties and civil society organisations to form an independent election commission. “Its mission will be the creation of the necessary conditions for organising fair and transparent elections,” he said.

Bensalah hoped the election of the new president would pave the way for the creation of a new political system capable of materialising

Bensalah stated that he would not participate in the elections as the constitution bars the interim president from vying for the post.

people’s aspiration for a modern, democratic,fair and developed Algeria.

He stated, “We hope the forthcoming inauguration of a President of the Republic will trigger the process to build a new Algeria

through a program to which our citizens contribute.”

Bensalah thanked “all the social classes who have participated in a peaceful, dignified and responsible manner in the successive marches that have changed the political scene since 22 February.” He also praised security forces for their handing of the protests.