ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Organizers say 2,000 students, doctors, dentists and veterinarians have marched in the Algerian capital to demand that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika step down.
Protesters wearing white coats and stethoscopes marched Tuesday from the central Algiers hospital shouting slogans including “You have ruined Algeria — you must leave,” and “Free and democratic Algeria!”
Demonstrators have ratcheted up demands that unpopular Bouteflika quit at the technical end of his April mandate.
Last week the ailing, 82-year-old president said he would not seek a fifth term, but he also indefinitely postponed the scheduled elections, a move that critics say was a desperate bid to cling to power.
Bouteflika said Monday a “national conference” over a new election date and a new constitution for the country that would make “decisive decisions” would be held soon.