Algerian students urge Bouteflika-era officials to quit

By Hassan Jebrel

ALGIERS (AA) – Thousands of Algerian students on Tuesday demonstrated in capital Algiers -- and in other cities -- to demand the departure of government officials linked to the regime of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The protest in Algiers saw more than 5,000 students and academicians march past a security cordon to the city’s parliament building.

Demonstrators chanted slogans against Parliament Speaker Mouad Bouchareb, a leading member of Bouteflika’s National Liberation Front party, demanding that he step down immediately.

They also chanted slogans against interim President Abdelkader Bensaleh and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, along with the latter’s interim government.

One group of protesters marched to the capital’s Sidi Mohamed Magistrate Court, which is responsible for investigating government corruption.

The 82-year-old Bouteflika announced his resignation early last month following weeks of popular demonstrations against his 20-year rule.