After disagreeing with President Chadli Bendjedid about proposals for army reorganisation , he quit in 1989 , and briefly became ambassador to Romania . However , after Bendjedid 's forced resignation in January 1992 , his career prospects became more promising . In July 1993 , he became Minister of Defense ; in January 1994 he was promoted to head of the High Council of State . In November 1995 , he was elected President , a post which he retained until the next elections . He was reputed to be politically dialoguist , supporting a partly negotiated solution to the Algerian Civil War . On December 25 , 1994 , Zéroual reluctantly allowed hijacked Air France Flight 8969 to leave Algerian territory after 3 civilians , including a French embassy chef , were murdered by the four hijackers
Air France Flight 8969
Air France Flight 8969
Liamine Zéroual