ADDS STATEMENT FROM CONSTITUTIONAL COUNCIL
By Abdulraziq bin Abdullah
ALGIERS (AA) – Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika bowed to popular demand Tuesday and resigned following weeks of protests over his decision to seek a fifth term, state news agency APS reported.
Bouteflika said in his resignation letter that his decision to leave office -- which came weeks before his term expires on April 28 -- was aimed at “preventing grave results” in the country, according to APS.
He said his intention was to “contribute to calming the souls and minds of the people so they can collectively take Algeria to the better future they aspire to”.
Bouteflika's decision came hours after Algerian Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ahmed Gaid Saleh demanded his immediate departure.
On Wednesday, Algeria’s Constitutional Council formally announced that the post of president was now vacant.
“In accordance with Article 102 of the constitution, the presidency of the republic is now officially vacant,” the council said in a statement.
In February, the country’s ruling National Liberation Front nominated the 82-year-old Bouteflika, who has ruled Algeria since 1999, to run for a fifth term in office.
But on March 11, following weeks of protests against his presidential bid, Bouteflika abruptly postponed the polls -- originally slated for April 18 -- and formally withdrew his candidacy.
Algerians, however, continued to stage demonstrations against the aging leader, accusing him of trying to unconstitutionally extend his fourth term in office.
Following Bouteflika’s resignation on Tuesday evening, hundreds of Algerians took to the streets to express satisfaction with the decision.
* Writing by Ali Abo Rezeg and Sena Guler