Algeria will hold its presidential election on July 4, according to state media.
The announcement comes after Abdelkader Bensalah was appointed as interim president for 90 days following the resignation of long-serving leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
82-year-old Bouteflika was forced to resign from the presidency after weeks of sustained mass protests against his rule. He had initially declared an interest in running for another term, an announcement that was not well received by the protesting people.
After taking over from Boutefika, interim president Bensalah pledged to “fulfilling the interests of the people.”
“It’s a great responsibility that the constitution demands of me,” the 77-year-old said.
The July 4 election will be the first vote that Bouteflika’s name will not be on the ballot in 20 years.
Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013 that limited his physical movements, though he still ran and won the 2014 election.
His health condition is said to have deteriorated since then his public appearances became rare.
Algeria becomes the third North African state to have witnessed a change of leadership through mass action after Tunisia and Egypt.
