Algeria protests: President Bouteflika to quit before 28 April

Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 2017 pictureImage copyright
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Mr Bouteflika, 82, has served as Algeria’s president since 1999

Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will step down before his mandate expires on 28 April, Algerian state media reports.

The 82-year-old, who has been in power for 20 years, will ensure “continuity of the state’s institutions” before he quits, according to APS news agency.

The news comes after weeks of mass protests, with demonstrators and army officials demanding his resignation.

As a result, he had dropped plans to seek re-election for a fifth term.

The elections have been postponed and the government has promised to organise a national conference.

Last month Mr Bouteflika, who has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, also announced a major cabinet reshuffle.

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Media captionPolice used water cannon during the protest in Algiers
source: bbc.com