Algeria’s armed forces chief urges protesters to accept July poll

Algeria’s army chief on Monday urged protesters to accept presidential polls set for July 4 to elect a successor to ousted president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

“Holding a presidential election could help [Algeria] avoid falling into the trap of a constitutional void, with its accompanying dangers and unwelcome consequences,” AFP quoted General Ahmed Gaid Salah as saying.

Street protests broke out in February after Bouteflika announced his intention to seek a fifth term, extending his two decades in power.

Bouteflika quit in early April, but demonstrators have continued to rally in Algiers and across the country, demanding that transitional bodies be set up ahead of any election.