Algerians demand resignation of Bouteflika in biggest protest yet
ALGIERS (Reuters) — Hundreds of thousands of people on Friday protested in central Algiers in the biggest demonstration against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s 20-year rule since unrest began last month.
Protesters crammed streets and squares in the capital after Friday prayers, many draped in Algeria’s green, white and red flag. Demonstrations also took place in Bejaia, Oran, Batna, Tizi Ouzou and other cities.
“Bouteflika and his men must go as soon as possible,” student Yazid Ammari, 23, said.
Reuters journalists estimated the crowd at hundreds of thousands of people, though there was no police estimate. The number fell to thousands by late afternoon.
A statement from the Algerian national police said it arrested people involved in vandalism, theft and destruction of public and private property.
No heavy clashes were reported but the authorities said some 75 protesters were arrested and 11 policemen were slightly injured during the demonstrations.
Bouteflika on Monday reversed a decision to stand for another term after weeks of demonstrations against him, but he stopped short of relinquishing office and said he would stay on until a new constitution is adopted.
Algerians quickly rejected his offer and demanded that the 82-yearold president hand over power to a young generation of leaders who can create jobs and stamp out corruption.
“Those who think we are tired are wrong. Our protests will not stop,” doctor Madjid Benzida, 37, said as police blocked streets leading to government offices and parliament.
Bouteflika has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013. Protesters say he is no longer fit for office.
The president has been losing allies in recent days since returning from medical treatment in Switzerland.
Hocine Kheldoun, a senior figure from the ruling National Liberation Front party, known by its French acronym FLN, said in an interview on Thursday night the long-ruling president was “history now.”
The remarks by Kheldoun to Ennahar television were another setback for Bouteflika, who hoped to pacify Algerians by promising to take steps to change a political landscape that has been dominated for decades by a ruling elite.
Kheldoun, a former ruling party spokesman, became one of the most senior FLN officials to break with Bouteflika publicly, saying the party had to look forward and support the aims of demonstrators.