Thousands Protest In Algeria As Former PM Declared President

By Staff, Agencies

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Algeria's capital after former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid Tebboune was declared the winner of the country’s presidential race.

Tebboune - who also served as housing minister under Abdelaziz Bouteflika - the former president forced to step down in April following mass protests - won 58.15 percent of Thursday's vote, according to preliminary results announced on Friday.

The 74-year-old's closest rival, Abdelkader Bengrina, came second with 17.38 percent. Former Prime Minister Ali Benflis was third, with 10.55 percent, while former Minister of Culture Azzedine Mihoubi came in fourth place, with 7.26 percent. Abdelaziz Belaid, the head of el Moustakbal party, obtained 6.66 percent.

On Friday, huge crowds gathered in Algiers to protest against the election, denouncing it as a "sham" because of the links of all five presidential candidates to the former president and the ruling elite.

"The elections are rigged," protesters chanted, pledging that their months-long movement would not stop.

"Tebboune is worse than Bouteflika. He's known for being one of the thieves," Meriem, a 31-year-old civil servant, told AFP news agency.

"We did not vote and we will not back down."