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Thousands march in Algeria, say no election before elite quits

Friday, 13 September 2019 3:49 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 13 September 2019 7:35 PM ]

Algerian protesters carry their national flag, during a demonstration against the ruling class in the capital Algiers on September 13, 2019, for the 30th consecutive Friday since the movement began. (Photo by AFP)

Tens of thousands of Algerians have marched in the capital to demand that the rest of the ruling elite follow former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in quitting power before any new election.

The 30th consecutive Friday protest also included demands that the authorities release Karim Tabou, a prominent opposition leader who has been held since Wednesday and charged with "contributing to weakening army morale".

The army, the strongest institution in Algeria, wants a presidential election as soon as possible to break the deadlock between the protesters and the authorities.

The absence of an elected president since Bouteflika resigned in April has left Africa's largest country, a major energy exporter, in constitutional limbo.

"No vote as long as the gang rules the country," read one banner, referring to interim President Abdelkader Bensaleh and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, who is expected to resign soon.

"Free Tabou, free Tabou," another banner read.

Dozens of Bouteflika allies including two former prime ministers, two former intelligence chiefs, ministers and influential business tycoons have been put behind bars on corruption charges, but the protesters are calling for wider measures to overturn the old order.

(Source: Reuters)

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