Algeria’s Parliament confirmed Bensalah as acting head of state

Algeria’s parliament officially confirmed Senate President Abdelkader Bensalah as acting head of state for the next 90 days on Tuesday to replace former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who resigned last week under pressure from a pro-democracy protest movement that won the army’s backing, France 24 reports.

Al Jazeera reports that the move to designate Bensalah interim president follows the constitutional council’s decision last week to declare the presidency vacant after Bouteflika submitted his resignation. He stepped down after nearly two months of protests.

“I am required by national duty to take on this heavy responsibility of steering a transition that will allow the Algerian people to exercise their sovereignty,” Bensalah said on Tuesday. “We must work to allow the Algerian people to elect their president as soon as possible.”

Bensalah will rule until fresh elections are held, in accordance with the country’s constitution.

Via France 24 / Al Jazeera