Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Tuesday afternoon announced his resignation, ending twenty years of his rule, state news agency reported.
“The President of the Republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has officially notified the President of the Constitutional Council, of his decision to end his term as President of the Republic, we learned Tuesday with the Presidency of the Republic”, the official APS agency wrote.
Bouteflika last Monday, he announced that he will resign before April 28, 2019, when his term expires.
The country’s army says it considers Bouteflika’s announcement “null and void”.
Since February 22, 2019, Algeria has been swept by a wave of demonstrations, demanding Abdelaziz Bouteflika to go after being in power since April 1999.
On Sunday evening, Bouteflika appointed a new government to be led by Noureddine Bedoui, who was named prime minister on March 11.
The new cabinet composed of 27 ministers, eight of from the erstwhile government.
According to the new compsition, army chief, General Ahmed Gaïd Salah, who recently proposed the implementation of constitutional mechanisms to remove President Bouteflika from power, remains Deputy Minister of Defense and in second in command behind the PM, according to state protocol.
The defense portfolio remains held by President Bouteflika, being constitutionally the commander in chief of the armed forces.
Ramtane Lamamra, appointed deputy prime minister alongside Noureddine Bedoui and head of diplomacy on 11 March, is not on the list.
It is Sabri Boukadoum, who until recently was ambassador to the UN, head the Foreign Affairs ministry.
WN/as/APA