Former Algerian PM urges president Bouteflika to resign

Former Algerian prime minister and head of the country's coalition RND party, Ahmed Ouyahia, has encouraged Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign, according to a party statement.

Ouyahia's message was the latest blow to Bouteflika's withering leadership after Algeria's army chief withdrew support for the embattled president on Tuesday.

Bouteflika had a stroke five years ago and is rarely seen in public.

He dropped plans to run for a fifth presidential term in the face of widespread protests.

But he remained in office and demonstrations have resumed.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaid Salah, addressing officers in a speech broadcast on Tuesday, said the solution to the biggest political crisis since the army canceled elections in 1992 would be the exit of the president on health grounds.

The position taken by the powerful army chief of staff was a clear signal that the president - who has rarely appeared in public since suffering a stroke in 2013 - will not survive the protests which have threatened to topple the ruling elite.

The political turmoil has highlighted growing public discontent with the allegations of corruption, nepotism and economic mismanagement that have tarnished Bouteflika’s 20-year rule.

Gaid Salah, speaking on Tuesday, praised the maturity of Algerians and their peaceful protests.

“In order to protect our country from any hazardous situation, everybody needs to show selflessness and to take into consideration the higher interests of our home country in order to find an immediate solution to this crisis,” he said.

“A solution in accordance with the constitution that is the only guarantee of a stable situation.

“In this regard, we urge and have to adopt a solution that guarantees a crisis exit and responds to the legitimate demands of the Algerian people.

“This solution ensures the respect of the constitution and the rule of law. It will also guarantee consensus among all parties. Such a solution is stipulated by article 102 of the constitution."