PROFILE – Algeria's powerful army chief Ahmed Gaid Saleh

By Abdulrazzak Abdullah

ALGIERS (AA) – Algerian army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Ahmed Gaid Saleh died Monday at the age of 79 following a heart attack, the country's official news agency said.

His death came days after the election of former Prime Minister Abdulmadjid Tebboune as Algeria's new president following the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika after mass protests against his 20-year rule.

Gaid Saleh's last appearance was during Tebboune's inauguration on Thursday, when he was awarded the heights grade of national order of merit for his efforts during the country's transitional period after Bouteflika's resignation.

A deputy defense minister, Gaid Saleh has played a leading role in cruising Algeria towards safety after a turbulent transitional period in the wake of Bouteflika's departure.

Gaid Saleh was seen by his political opponents as "the strongest man in the regime and an obstacle to radical change," while his supporters say he was the man who "protected the unity and stability of the country and fulfilled his pledge to lead Algeria to presidential elections".

Born on Jan. 13, 1940 in the eastern Batna province, Gaid Saleh participated in the Algerian struggle against the French colonial rule between Nov. 1, 1954 and March 19, 1962.

After Algeria's independence, he pursued his career in the Algerian army, moving up to the rank of major general in 1993.

In 1994, he was appointed as commander of the army's ground forces during Algeria's civil war.

After the 2004 presidential election, Gaid Saleh was appointed as Algerian army's chief of staff.

On July 5, 2006, Gaid Saleh was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, in an indication of his close relationship with Bouteflika.

While he was the army chief of staff, he became a member of the government on Sep. 11, 2013 in his capacity as a deputy defense minister.

Before his death, Gaid Saleh was the only person who carried the title "mujahed" due to his participation in the Algerian struggle against the French occupation.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara