Thousands of Algerians on Friday staged protests in the capital Algiers demanding that the remainder of the ruling elite quit politics before the country holds any election.
The army, however, wants a presidential election to be held as soon as possible to end the stalemate between the protesters and the authorities.
Additionally, the protesters demanded that Karim Tabou, a leading opposition figure, be released from custody. Tabou has been detained by authorities since Wednesday.
Algeria has been in constitutional uncertainty following the resignation of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April following weeks of civilian protests against his 20-year rule.
Protesters are still agitating for sweeping measures to completely remove the status quo despite several high-profile individuals allied to Bouteflika having been jailed on corruption charges.
Algeria’s army chief Ahmed Gaid Salah had called on prosecutors to hasten the speed of corruption investigations into people with ties to Bouteflika’s inner circle following his resignation.
