ALGIERS: Algeria’s armed forces chief said on Monday that elections were the best way to overcome the country’s political crisis and avoid a constitutional vacuum. After two decades in power, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika quit last month under pressure from protesters and the army, but demonstrations are still pushing for political reforms and the removal of all officials belonging to the old guard. A presidential election has been scheduled for July 4 but a source said on Friday it might be postponed. Analysts say the army is concerned the crisis will continue at a time when instability is worsening in neighboring Libya, where rival forces are fighting over the capital Tripoli. On Friday, protesters gathered again in Algiers to call for the resignations of the interim president, Abdelkader Bensalah, and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui, appointed by Bouteflika days before he stepped down.

Source: Libya Today May 20, 2019 13:07 UTC