Algerian students protest against regime officials

By Hassan Jebrel

ALGIERS (AA) - Thousands of Algerian students on Tuesday took to streets in the capital Algiers as well as in other cities demanding officials -- who continue to work after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika resigned -- to step down.

The 82-year-old Bouteflika resigned in April following weeks of popular protests against his 20-year rule.

Tuesday’s protests also came in celebration of the resignation of one of Bouteflika regime’s most prominent figures and Parliament Speaker Mouad Bouchareb.

The protest -- which turned into a march launched from the Martyrs Square in the capital, passed through the Al-Barid Square and reached the Central University -- witnessed the participation of roughly 5,000 protesters.

The Flag-wielding protesters chanted slogans demanding the release of Lakhdar Bourqaa, one of the veterans of the Algerian revolution against French colonialism.

Bourqaa was jailed a few days ago following remarks about the army in which he described the latter as a “militia” since it was established in 1969 following the independence in 1962.

Al-Barid Square has become a symbol of an ongoing popular uprising in Algeria, which prompted President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down in April after weeks of popular protest against his 20-year rule.

Despite Bouteflika’s resignation, however, protesters have remained on the streets of Algiers -- and of other cities -- to demand the departure of all Bouteflika-era officials.

The army is currently overseeing a 90-day transitional period and has promised to hold presidential elections on July 4.