The Algerian Chief of Staff praises the protesters and pledges to protect the country

Algerian army chief of staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Kayed Saleh confirmed that the army will always be "the fortified fortress of the people and the nation in all circumstances and conditions," praising the "national and cultural sense" of the protesting Algerians.

On a working trip to the southwestern state of Bashar on Monday, Kaid Saleh said that the Algerians have proved "in these circumstances a national sense, and even a very civilized civilization, which shows a deep public awareness that amazed everyone in all parts of the world."

"In light of this conscious awareness of the sanctity of the homeland and its security and stability, I renew today what I promised before God and before the people and in history that the National People's Army will always be the stronghold of the people and the nation in all circumstances."

As for the political crisis in Algeria following the refusal of large sections of the people to extend Bouteflika's fourth term and postpone the presidential elections, Kaid Saleh said that "every wise person understands his national sense and his far-sighted vision that every problem has a solution, but solutions are complicated. Remain without appropriate solutions. "

The Chief of Staff of the Army and the Deputy Minister of Defense stressed that "I have always focused on the strong relationship between the Algerian people and their army, which is an integral part of it, and in this sense in particular, my faith in the wisdom of this people and its ability to overcome all difficulties, , Unlimited and even absolute. "

"I am absolutely certain that the Algerian people, who have always placed the country's interests above all else, have the necessary means to make their country avoid any difficult situation that could be exploited by foreign parties to harm it."

Street demands
In the same context, the outgoing Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia called for "responding" to the demands of the street in "the earliest time" to spare the country any slippage.

In a letter addressed to the activists and members of his party, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which serves as its secretary-general, he said: "Just as all greet the peaceful demands of our people, we must respond to them as soon as possible so as to prevent our country from sliding. Economic and social development ".

Ouyahia, who has backed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika since he came to power in 1999, said his party considered it "no more costly rule or authority than Algeria."

He called for "everyone to accept concessions that would convince citizens of the credibility of the smooth democratic transition offered by the President of the Republic as concessions that can convince the political spectrum, especially the opposition."

Since the announcement of Bouteflika's candidacy on February 10 for a fifth term, Algeria is witnessing protests and demonstrations rejecting it.

Bouteflika announced on Monday that he would withdraw his candidacy for a fifth term and postpone the presidential elections, as well as calling for a dialogue conference leading to a constitutional amendment and new elections in which he would not run.

However, those decisions did not stop the protests, which the opposition considered an extension of the Algerian president's rule and "a departure from the popular movement that demands his departure."