Algeria’s Army Chief dies

Algerian state media says the country’s powerful army chief General Ahmed Gaid Salah has died, at a time of bitter political divisions over the military’s dominant role in the major energy exporter.

Algerian government radio says he died Monday morning in the military hospital of Algiers after a heart attack. Algerian media reports said Gaid Salah was 79 years old.

Salah was seen as the main power broker in Algeria, especially since a pro-democracy movement with his backing pushed out the country’s longtime former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April.

His death comes less than a week after Abdelmadjid Tebboune was sworn in as the country’s new president, on December 19.

He played a key role pushing through the December 12 presidential elections in the face of stiff opposition on the streets.

Gaid Salah was present at the inauguration of this gas-rich country’s new president last week.

The new president, Abdelmajid Tabboune, announced a three-day mourning period.

President Tebboune announced that the head of land forces, General Said Chengriha, would take over as acting chief of staff of the armed forces.

France 24 Al Jazeera