Algerian ex-president declines to lead transition phase

ALGIERS

Former Algerian President Liamine Zeroual has turned down an offer to lead the country during a transitional phase following the anticipated resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

In a Tuesday statement carried by Algeria’s El-Khabar newspaper, Zeroual alleged that he was approached last week by Mohamed Mediene, a retired general and former intelligence chief, “who asked if I was interested in leading an interim phase [following Bouteflika’s departure].”

According to Zeroual, the proposal was brokered by Said Bouteflika, the incumbent president’s brother advisor.

The former president attributed his decision to report on the alleged meeting to his desire to maintain “transparency” with the public.

“I support the millions of demonstrators [calling for Bouteflika’s resignation] and will not stand in the way of the people, who appear to have regained control of their destinies,” Zeroual said.

On Monday, Bouteflika vowed to step down as president before his fourth term officially expires later this month.

In February, 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.

But on March 11, after weeks of protests against his planned bid for a fifth term, Bouteflika abruptly postponed the polls -- originally slated for April 18 -- and formally withdrew his candidacy.

Algerians, however, have continued to stage demonstrations against the aging leader, who they accuse of unconstitutionally extending his fourth term in office.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat