There have been demonstrations against his appointment and the government-support newspaper El Moudjahid call on him to step aside.

Opposition MPs boycotted the parliamentary session that made the appointment of Abdelkader Bensalah as interim president

By sticking to the constitutionally dictated position of supporting the Senate leader for the post, the Algerian government has provoked the young demonstrators who’s weeks of protests forced Abdelaziz Bouteflika from office.

They immediately assembled outside the main post office in Algiers, which has become the focal point of protestors, calling for Bensalah to resign.

He will have a tough time holding on until presidential elections that must take place within 90 days

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His resignation has been accepted by the 12-member Constitutional Council and the country’s to have elections within 90 days.

Algerian television has shown a frail Abdelaziz Bouteflika handing his letter of resignation to Constitutional Council head Tayeb Belaiz.

According to the constitution, Senate Speaker Abdelkader Bensalah will become interim head until the election.

But protestors, whose six-weeks of demonstrations forced Bouteflika to step down, say they don’t even temporarily want Bensalah who is seen an ally of the former president.

As a new Algeria emerges, it is hoped the demonstrations will continue to be as peaceful has they have been.

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The country has never seen anything like this since gaining independence from France in 1962 after a bitter liberation war.

ends intro

Senate Speaker Abdelkader Bensalah becomes interim Algerian leader until elections that must come within 90 days.

Who will be the major contestants in that poll?

The demonstrators, who say they want a total change of regime, can justifiably say their six weeks of protests made Abdelaziz Bouteflika stand down.

But the military have taken charge before and commander General Ahmed Gael Salah can say its was his call for Bouteflika’s swift departure that was the deciding factor.

Some clarity could emerge when demonstrators speak after Friday’s prayers. 

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