By Abdelrazzaq Abdullah
ALGIERS (AA) – Algeria’s military chief-of-staff, Gen. Ahmed Gaid Saleh, on Wednesday asserted that dialogue was the only wayout of the country's crisis.
Speaking during a visit to the 5th military zone, Saleh praised the positive response of some political sides to proposed initiative for dialogue.
The top military officer, however; warned of “sides that reject proposed initiatives and work on planting plots, ” according to a statement by the Defense Ministry.
“I am convinced that the adoption of a constructive dialogue with state institutions is the only wayout of the crisis, ” Saleh asserted.
The army chief went on to underline the need to keep the “peaceful nature of protests ” to maintain national security and avoid undermining the country's unity.
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, stepped down last month following several weeks of popular protests against his continued rule.
Abdelkader Bensalah, a former speaker of parliament, is currently serving as interim president for a 90-day transitional period — overseen by the army — during which presidential elections will be held.
Demonstrators, however, have continued to call for the removal of all government officials associated with the Bouteflika regime, including Bensalah.
*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat
