Algerian army chief vows to secure country

ALGIERS: Algeria’s army chief on Tuesday pledged to guarantee the country's security following mass demonstrations against ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term in office. General Ahmed Gaid Salah also criticised those who he said "want to take (Algeria) back" to the dark years of civil war, in a speech published on the defence ministry’s website. Thousands of Algerian students marched on Tuesday in protest at ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's determination to stand for re-election, brushing aside his pledge not to serve a full fifth term. Following mass demonstrations, the veteran leader promised that if he wins the April poll he will organise a "national conference" to set a date for further elections which he would not contest. But his pledge, made in a letter read out late Sunday on state television, has been angrily dismissed as an insult by Algerians weary of his two-decade-old rule. Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013 and is rarely seen in public. Rallies demanding the 82-year-old resign have rocked Algeria since February 22, with protesters mobilised by calls on social media, in a country where half the population is under 30 and many young people struggle to find jobs. On Tuesday thousands of university students from campuses across Algiers marched in the capital, many carrying their country's flag.