Algerian President Resigns: People celebrate after Abdelaziz Bouteflika steps down

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Europe

02:17

Shifting to Algeria, where President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has resigned after 20 years in power. Bouteflika submitted his resignation with immediate effect on Tuesday. His move comes amid weeks of mass protests against his rule. CGTN's Chao Mghono has more.

This has been the scenario in Algeria streets since the president announced his resignation.

"We won the battle, but we did not win the war. There is still work to do. Now the role of institutions is to judge, justice must do its job. First, justice must be independent, that's how the first judge of this country could judge them."

"We are happy, we are very proud, and it is the victory, the victory of the people."

In a letter presented to the Constitutional Council, president Bouteflika said: "This decision which I take in my soul and conscience is destined to contribute to the appeasement of the hearts and minds of my compatriots."

The ailing president has been accused of being unsuitable to be in power. He faced mounting pressure to step down, after his decision to seek a fifth term. This despite rarely being seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013.

Last month, he eventually said he would not seek re-election. But the move failed to satisfy protesters, who feared a ploy to extend his rule, given that the scheduled presidential poll had been suspended.

The 82-year-old's decision to step down has been described as an important page in the history of Algeria.

According to Algeria's constitution, the speaker of the upper house of parliament will now act as interim leader for up to 90 days, during which presidential elections must be held. Chao Mghono, CGTN.