Army vows to maintain stability in protest-hit Algeria

ALGIERS

The army will maintain Algeria’s continued security, Military Chief-of-Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah said Tuesday.

Salah made the remarks amid ongoing popular protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s planned bid for a fifth term in office.

Salah, who also serves as deputy defense minister, made the assertions while addressing military commanders west of capital Algiers.

Last month, Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front nominated the 82-year-old Bouteflika -- who has ruled Algeria since 1999 -- to run for a fifth presidential term.

Since then, Algeria has seen several anti-Bouteflika demonstrations in different parts of the country, including capital Algiers.