Algerians hold anti-regime demos for 11th Friday in row

By Abdelrazzak Abdullah

ALGIERS (AA) - Hundreds of thousands of Algerians staged demonstrations across the country on Friday to demand the departure of all government officials closely associated with former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The 82-year-old Bouteflika resigned early last month after weeks of popular protests against his 20-year rule.

Parliament Speaker Abdelkader Bensalah is now serving as interim president for a 90-day transitional period -- overseen by the army -- during which presidential elections will be conducted.

Demonstrators, however, have continued to demand the departure of all Bouteflika-era officials, including Bensalah.

They also demand the prosecution of Said Bouteflika, the former president’s influential brother, who has been described by detractors as the “gang leader”.

On Friday, hundreds of protesters converged on the capital’s Al-Barid Square -- for the eleventh week in a row -- where they shouted anti-regime slogans and demanded accountability for alleged Bouteflika-era abuses.

Demonstrators have vowed to maintain their protests through the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which will begin early next week.

Meanwhile, security has been dramatically stepped up in and around capital Algiers, especially near the presidential palace.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat