UPDATE - Algerians hold anti-regime demos for 10th Friday in row

ADDS FRESH DETAIL

By Hassan Jebril

ALGIERS (AA) - Hundreds demonstrated in Algiers on Friday -- and in other cities across Algeria -- to demand the departure of all government officials associated with the regime of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The 82-year-old Bouteflika resigned early this month after several weeks of popular protest 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 held.

Demonstrators, however, have continued to call for the removal of all Bouteflika-era officials, including Bensalah.

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

On Friday, more than 1,000 protesters converged on the capital’s Al-Barid Square -- for the tenth week in a row -- where they shouted anti-regime slogans and demanded accountability for Bouteflika-era abuses.

Security has been dramatically stepped up in the capital, especially in central Algiers near the presidential palace.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat