Algerian Army Chief Says Will Support Transitional Period

By Staff, Agencies

Algeria's army chief said Wednesday the military will support the transition period in the North African country but that period requires the people's patience, Ennahar TV reported.

Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gaid Salah was quoted as saying that the military will make sure to meet the people's demands, adding that some foreign parties have been trying to undermine Algeria's stability.

Salah said he expected the judiciary to start prosecuting "the gang", referring to the ruling elite.

Relatedly, also on Wednesday, Algeria’s interior ministry has issued licenses for 10 new political parties, Ennahar TV said, after a newly-appointed interim president vowed to organize free elections in the face of growing calls for democracy.

Protesters in Algeria, a major oil and natural gas producer, have been demanding sweeping changes since unrest which erupted on Feb. 22 prompted long-serving, 82-year-old leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign.

On Tuesday, parliament named upper house chairman Abdelkader Bensalah as caretaker president, a move swiftly rejected by protesters who say they cannot accept any figures from the old guard under the National Liberation Front (FLN) that has dominated Algeria since independence from France in 1962.

Allowing new political parties suggests some flexibility by the Algerian authorities, who have faced weeks of protests demanding immediate steps to introduce democratic reforms including political pluralism.