Algerians demand departure of Bouteflika-era officials

By Abdel-Razek Abdullah

ALGIERS (AA) - Hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated across Algeria on Friday to demand the departure of all officials affiliated with the regime of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who stepped down last week after two decades in power.

For the eighth consecutive Friday, anti-regime demonstrators flooded the streets of Algiers, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent covering the protests.

Friday’s demonstrations come three days after Parliament Speaker Abdelkader Bensalah was sworn in as interim president vowing to hold “free and transparent” elections within three months.

The Algerian army is now overseeing a 90-day transitional period during which presidential polls must be conducted, according to the Algerian constitution.

The 82-year-old Bouteflika stepped down last week following weeks of popular protests against his rule.