"I listened and heard the heartfelt cry of protesters and in particular of the thousands of youth who asked me about the future of our country," the letter said, read by a presenter on ENTV. " Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has confirmed he will stand for re-election in the country's forthcoming elections in April, despite the biggest protests in Algeria since the president came to power two decades ago. Acknowledging the protesters, Bouteflika, who is rarely seen in public since suffering a stroke six years ago, has pledged not to complete a full term if he is re-elected. The opposition National Front (FN) party said it would boycott Sunday's vote and called on voters to protest against what they described as an "undemocratic coup." One demonstrator, who described Bouteflika as "unconscious", said generals are making decisions behind his back.
Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has confirmed he will stand for re-election in the country's forthcoming elections in April, despite the biggest protests in Algeria since the president came to power two decades ago. Acknowledging the protesters, Bouteflika, who is rarely seen in public since suffering a stroke six years ago, has pledged not to complete a full term if he is re-elected. The opposition National Front (FN) party said it would boycott Sunday's vote and called on voters to protest against what they described as an "undemocratic coup." One demonstrator, who described Bouteflika as "unconscious", said generals are making decisions behind his back.