But the protesting youth seemed unhappy with Bensalah appointment. As soon as the appointment of Bensalah was announced, protesters took to the streets demanding “Bensalah go”, said the BBC.
Abdelkader Bensalah named Algeria’s interim president
Following the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Speaker of the upper house, Abdelkader Bensalah has been named the interim president.
Bensalah is due to be in power for the next 90 days during the transition period in the run-up to a presidential election.
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But the protesting youth seemed unhappy with Bensalah appointment. As soon as the appointment of Bensalah was announced, protesters took to the streets demanding “Bensalah go”, said the BBC.
Algeria’s parliament appointed Bensalah, to succeed former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as the country’s interim leader.
Bouteflika, in power for 20 years, resigned last week following a series of huge anti-government protests.
Bensalah will lead the country during a transition period in the run-up to a presidential election.
But many protesters, seeking more radical change, do not back him.
“I want to work towards fulfilling the interests of the people,” AFP news agency quotes the new interim president as telling parliament.
“It’s a great responsibility that the constitution demands of me.”
He is due to be in office for 90 days.
From the start of the protests in February, the demonstrators have not just been focusing on the ailing Mr Bouteflika, Algeria analyst James McDougall told the BBC.
Placards and online posts have been demanding an end to the “system”, or “Le Pouvoir”, meaning that all those around the former president should also go.
The allegation was that Bouteflika was used as a front for a group of businessmen, politicians and military officials, who are said to really run the country.