Algerians continue to protest on 1st Friday of Ramadan

ALGIERS

Algerians staged demonstrations in capital Algiers on the first Friday of the Ramadan fasting month to reiterate their demand for the immediate departure of all government officials linked to the regime of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The 82-year-old Bouteflika stepped down early last month following weeks of popular protest against his 20-year rule.

The army is now overseeing a 90-day transitional period, and has promised to hold presidential elections sometime in July.

Protesters, however, continue to demand the departure of all Bouteflika-era officials, including interim President Abdelkader Bensaleh and Prime Minister Noureddine Badawi.

According to an Anadolu Agency correspondent at the scene, hundreds of demonstrators converged on the capital’s Al-Barid Square on Friday -- for the 12th week in a row -- to press their demands.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat