Algeria to hold presidential elections on Dec. 12

ALGIERS, Algeria

Algeria's interim President Abdelkader Bensalah said Sunday the country will hold presidential elections on Dec. 12.

In a televised speech, Bensalah said: "Exercising my constitutional powers, I have set the date for running presidential elections on Dec. 12, 2019. Today, I signed the decree asking the electoral body to organize the election process."

He said the date had been decided after talks with stakeholders.

According to the Algerian constitution, elections should be held within 90 days of signing the presidential decree.

Earlier on Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Authority was established with former Justice Minister Mohammad Sharif as its head.