ALGIERS, May 11 (NNN-Xinhua) — Tens of thousands of Algerians took to the streets on Friday to express their rejection of the presidential election scheduled for July 4, calling for a year-long transition period.
The protesters hailed the jailing of former intelligence leaders and the brother of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s, as well as the anti-corruption trials launched against several businessmen and politicians.
However, they warned that these measures have not met their major demand for radical change of the regime.
The ongoing mass popular movement erupted on Feb. 22 as Algerians opposed Boutelika’s decision to seek a fifth presidential term.
On April 2, Bouteflika announced his resignation under mass pressure.
Last week, both the interim president and the military institution expressed their insistence on holding the presidential election on July 4 in accordance with the constitution. — NNN-XINHUA
