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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