WORLD NEWS MARCH 8, 2019 / 5:41 AM / UPDATED AN HOUR AGO

Big anti-Bouteflika protest fills Algerian capital

Zohra Bensemra, Hamid Ould Ahmed
4 MIN READ

ALGIERS (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Algerians packed central Algiers to capacity on Friday to challenge President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s 20-year-old rule in the biggest protests in the capital in 28 years.

While the demonstrations were mostly peaceful, police used tear gas to block the road to the presidential palace and also used it in several other areas of the capital.

In its latest addition, quoted by the state news agency, the army magazine described the relationship between the military and Algerians in positive terms.

“Both belong to one country, no alternative to it,” said Djeich magazine. Both the people and the army had the same vision and destiny, it said.

It did not mention the unrest but the army chief of staff has said the military would not tolerate any threats to the stability of the country.

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