Ruling FLN and Army sides with the protestors
Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah said that a month of demonstrations had been “marked by the deeds of noble aims and pure intentions, through which the Algerian people has clearly expressed its values and principles of sincere and dedicated work to Allah and the motherland”.
The comments, made on Tuesday during a tour of a military district and carried by Algerian media on Wednesday, were the clearest signal yet that the army was distancing itself from the ailing Bouteflika, in power for 20 years.
The ruling National Liberation Front party, known by its French acronym FLN, also sided with the protesters after a meeting of its top officials.
“FLN fully supports the popular protest movement,” the APS state news agency quoted FLN leader Moad Bouchared as saying.
The party also called for negotiations to ensure stability in Algeria, a major oil and gas producer.
The news is surprising ,to say the least. I would have expected Bouteflika to have more control over his Army and Party to circumvent any challenge at the worst of times. Seems like the Army understands that ending up like Syria is not a good option. The question now is will Algeria transition into a democracy like Tunisia, or will the Army put their guy on top like Zimbabwe.
The Army has already got their guy on top. The fact that he is not quite "there'' should be telling though. Bouteflika is litterally there to ensure the factions in the Army don't squabble.
