Saudi king meets Algerian FM in Riyadh

RIYADH

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in Riyadh on Tuesday with Algerian Foreign Minister Sabri Boukadoum, in the first such visit by an Algerian official since the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika earlier this month.

The talks dwelt on regional and international developments, the official SPA news agency said, without giving further details.
SPA said the Saudi king wished the Algerian people “steady security and prosperity”.

Bouteflika, 82, stepped down earlier this month following several weeks of popular protests against his continued rule.

Abdelkader Bensalah, a former speaker of parliament, is currently 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 government officials associated with the Bouteflika regime, including Bensalah.