Algerian army vows to oversee 90-day interim period

ALGIERS

The Algerian army will monitor the progress of a 90-day interim period during which presidential polls will be conducted, Army Chief-of-Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah said Wednesday.

Salah made the remarks in a televised address to military commanders during a visit to Algeria’s Second Military Zone in the country’s northwest.

“The National People's Army will oversee the transitional period, during which preparations will be made to hold presidential elections,” he said.

The army, he added, will monitor progress during the interim phase “in light of the mutual trust enjoyed between the people and army”.

During the transitional period, Salah said, “rules of transparency and the laws of the republic must be respected”.

On Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Abdelkader Bensaleh was appointed interim president, vowing to hold “fair and transparent” elections within 90 days.

Bensaleh replaces President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who stepped down last week after two decades in power amid continued popular protests against his rule.

“Unfortunately, foreign parties… have attempted to push certain people to the forefront, promoting them as representatives of the people in hopes of coopting the transitional period,” Salah asserted.

He went on to pledge to “support the people… despite the emergence of voices at home and abroad who are disturbed by the deep affinity between the people and army”.

He added: “We have no ambition but to serve our country and ensure its continued security and stability.”

On Tuesday, security forces dispersed demonstrations held against Bensaleh’s appointment as interim leader.

Demonstrators demand Bensaleh’s departure, along with all Bouteflika-era officials, including recently-appointed Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui and Constitutional Council President Tayeb Belaiz.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat