Ex-Algeria premier urges 'response' to popular demands

By Abdelrazek Abdallah

ALGIERS (AA) – Former Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia on Monday called on the ruling regime to respond to the people's demands.

"Just as all the peaceful demands of our people are saluted, we must respond to them as soon as possible," Ouyahia said in a statement directed to his Democratic National Rally (RND).

Ouyahia, who backed President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's regime for two decades, said his party seeks to serve Algeria's higher interests.

He said concessions made by all parties would give credibility to Bouteflika's initiative for a democratic transition.

Last week, Bouteflika postponed the April 18 presidential election and withdrew his candidacy following weeks of mass protests against his nomination seeking a fifth term.

Last month, Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front nominated Bouteflika -- who has ruled Algeria since 1999 -- to run for office.

Opposition figures have repeatedly urged the aging president, who in 2013 was treated for a blood clot in the brain, to refrain from contesting the election.