Algerian Protesters Keep up Pressure on Bouteflika

By Staff, Agencies

About 2,000 people rallied in central Algiers on Tuesday calling for the resignation of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, keeping up the pressure after weeks of protests that threaten to topple him and the ruling elite which has helped keep him in power for 20 years.

Bouteflika bowed to protesters this month by reversing a decision to seek another term and postponing elections that had been scheduled for April.

He, however, stopped short of quitting as head of state and said he would stay on until a new constitution is adopted, effectively extending his current term.

The move failed to placate hundreds of thousands of Algerians who have taken to the streets for nearly five weeks to demand that Bouteflika quit along with his allies.

Some key partners such as members of his ruling party and business tycoons have abandoned Bouteflika, increasing the isolation of a leader who has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.