Abdelaziz Bouteflika

Algeria's parliament appointed on April 9 its upper house chairman Abdelkader Bensalah as interim president following the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika after weeks of mass protests against his rule.

Algeria's ailing leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika submitted his resignation with immediate effect, state media said on April 2, ceding power in the face of massive street protests after two decades at the helm.

Algeria's oldest museum, home to some of the country's most valuable art, was vandalized during protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term, the culture ministry said on March 9.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika issued his first warning on March 8 to protesters who have taken to the streets in thousands to demand an end to his 20-year rule, saying the unrest could destabilize the country.

Crowds of mainly young protesters faced off with riot police in Algiers until early on March 4 after Bouteflika's campaign manager formalized the longtime leader's candidacy for a fifth term in the April 18 election. Demonstrations were also held in other cities.

Anti-government protests resumed in Algeria on March 3 as tens of thousands gathered in the capital and other towns to demand Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika drop plans to stand for a fifth term, witnesses and residents said.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been unable to receive the Saudi crown prince during his visit as planned due to acute flu, the Algerian presidency said on Nov. 3.

The Turkish president offered condolences to his Algerian counterpart Abdelaziz Bouteflika on April 11 after a military aircraft crashed near the capital Algiers, killing 257 people.

Algeria's parliament adopted a package of constitutional reforms on Feb. 7 that authorities say will strengthen democracy, but opponents doubt it will bring real change.

At least 22 people have died in fighting between Berbers and Arabs in southern Algeria, the bloodiest toll in two years of frequent clashes between the communities, national news agency APS reported on July 8.