Assembly speaker to represent Algeria at Arab summit

<p>By Abdel Razek Abdallah</p> <p>ALGIERS (AA) – President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Friday appointed Abdelkader Bensalah, speaker of Algeria’s Council of the Nation (upper house of parliament), to represent him at Sunday’s Arab League summit in Tunisia.</p> <p>According to a statement issued by Bouteflika’s office, Ramtane Lamamra, deputy prime minister for foreign affairs, will accompany Bensalah to the summit.</p> <p>Since 2013, the parliamentary speaker has represented the 82-year-old Bouteflika at Arab League summits due to the latter's generally poor health.</p> <p>In February, Algeria’s ruling National Liberation Front nominated Bouteflika, who has ruled Algeria since 1999, to run for a fifth presidential term. </p> <p>On March 11, after weeks of demonstrations against his planned bid for a fifth term, Bouteflika abruptly postponed polls originally slated for April 18. </p> <p>Since then, however, Algerians across the country — including capital Algiers — have continued to demonstrate against Bouteflika, who they accuse of unconstitutionally extending his fourth term in office. </p> <p><br></p> <p>*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat</p>