Algeria Protests: Thousands Denounce Bouteflika’s Bid for Fifth Presidential Term

By Staff, Agencies

Tens of thousands in Algeria took to the streets angry at 81-year-old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's plan to seek a fifth term in office.

However, police fired tear gas at protesters in the capital, Algiers.

Amid the violence, seven protesters and more than 50 officers were injured, with 45 people arrested.

Protests are rare in the African country but several broke out in response to Bouteflika’s confirmation of candidacy.

He has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013 and is currently undergoing medical checks in Switzerland.

As they marched through the streets of Algiers on Friday, some demonstrators carried banners saying "leave means leave". Others stressed their intentions were peaceful.

Some protesters, however, threw stones near the presidential palace and were driven back by police firing tear gas. Witnesses said there were injuries on both sides.

Demonstrations also took place following Friday prayers in several other cities in Algeria.

Bouteflika came to power in 1999.

Protests against food prices and unemployment broke out in 2011 during the Arab Spring but he responded by lifting a nearly two-decade old state of emergency, meeting a key demand of protesters.