By AFPMore by this AuthorALGIERS,Barristers across Algeria on Monday joined strike action against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term in office, a day after the ailing leader's return from hospital in Switzerland. Magistrates have also been called to strike, although Justice Minister Tayeb Louh has stressed they were duty-bound to remain neutral. FRANCE PRAISEFormer colonial power France on Monday hailed the "dignity and restraint" of the mass demonstrations across Algeria. Mr Bouteflika's return from Geneva -- where he spent the past two weeks in hospital -- came as protest strikes Sunday shut down the capital's public transport system and many schools across Algeria. The 82-year-old president, who suffered a stroke in 2013, left Algeria on February 24 for what the presidency described as "routine medical checks".

Source: Daily Nation March 11, 2019 17:15 UTC