UP

Algeria's army chief says he has no political ambitions

Home page World
12 Punto 14 Punto 16 Punto 18 Punto

Algeria’s army chief of staff said on Wednesday he had no political ambitions in response to democracy activists who say that he intends to copy the authoritarian model of Egypt.

Axar.az reports citing Reuters

The armed forces have been a pivotal power center in Algeria for decades and have been managing a transition after mass protests forced President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign last month after 20 years in office.

Street demonstrations have continued to press demands for a dismantling of the elite of independence veterans, security commanders and business tycoons that have run the major oil and natural gas producer since independence from France in 1962.

“Everybody should know that we have no political ambitions,” Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah told state television.

A presidential election has been scheduled for July 4 but an informed source said on Friday it might be postponed.

Algerian activists say they are concerned the army-steered transition toward democracy will prove illusory as in Egypt.

As Egypt’s army chief in 2013, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi toppled freely elected Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, won election himself in 2014 and then suppressed Mursi’s supporters as well as the liberal opposition in a pervasive crackdown on dissent.

In Algeria, analysts the army fears the crisis will continue at a time of worsening disorder in neighboring Libya, where there is factional fighting for control of the capital Tripoli.

Date
2019.05.22 / 19:12
Author
Axar.az
See also

Italy urges a fair tariff deal with the US

Khamenei’s representative in the IRGC dies

Hungary rejects EU sanctions on Israel

Iran denies Putin proposed zero enrichment nuclear deal

Macron reacts to Trump's tariff announcement

Iran says it will work with IAEA

UK's oldest man and WWII veteran, Donald Rose, dies at 110

LeMan magazine editor arrested in Turkiye

EU warns of countermeasures if US 30% tariffs go ahead

One killed in Israeli strike on southern Lebanon town

Latest
Xocalı soyqırımı — 1992-ci il Bağla
Bize yazin Bağla
ArxivBağla