Algerian army vows to oversee 90-day interim period

By Abdel-Razek Abdullah</p> <p>ALGIERS (AA) – The Algerian army will monitor the progress of a 90-day interim period during which presidential polls will be conducted, Army Chief-of-Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah said Wednesday.</p> <p>Salah made the remarks in a televised address to military commanders during a visit to Algeria’s Second Military Zone in the country’s northwest.</p> <p>“The National People's Army will oversee the transitional period, during which preparations will be made to hold presidential elections,” he said.</p> <p>The army, he added, will monitor progress during the interim phase “in light of the mutual trust enjoyed between the people and army”.</p> <p>During the transitional period, Salah said, “rules of transparency and the laws of the republic must be respected”.</p> <p>On Tuesday, Parliament Speaker Abdelkader Bensaleh was appointed interim president, vowing to hold “fair and transparent” elections within 90 days. </p> <p>Bensaleh replaces President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who stepped down last week after two decades in power amid continued popular protests against his rule.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, foreign parties… have attempted to push certain people to the forefront, promoting them as representatives of the people in hopes of coopting the transitional period,” Salah asserted.</p> <p>He went on to pledge to “support the people… despite the emergence of voices at home and abroad who are disturbed by the deep affinity between the people and army”.</p> <p>He added: “We have no ambition but to serve our country and ensure its continued security and stability.” </p> <p>On Tuesday, security forces dispersed demonstrations held against Bensaleh’s appointment as interim leader.</p> <p>Demonstrators demand Bensaleh’s departure, along with all Bouteflika-era officials, including recently-appointed Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui and Constitutional Council President Tayeb Belaiz.</p> <p><br></p> <p>*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat