Protesters demand immediate exit of Algerian President

Celebrating Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to withdraw from the upcoming elections, protesters here demanded Bouteflika's immediate resignation from the post.

Protesters took to the streets on Monday night (local time) to celebrate the decision, with one demonstrator telling Al Jazeera: "The protests have paid off. This is a small victory of the Algerian people over the regime."

Mass protests against Bouteflika's previously planned fifth Presidential run rocked the African nation for weeks.

"There will be no fifth term. There was never any question of it for me. Given my state of health and age, my last duty towards the Algerian people was always contributing to the foundation of a new Republic," the 82-year-old President, who has ruled Algeria since 1999, stated.

While announcing his decision, the Algerian President postponed the elections, originally scheduled for April 18, indefinitely.

He also stated that an inclusive and independent conference will be overseeing the transition of power along with setting a new date for the Presidential elections. They will also submit a new constitution to voters in a referendum, according to Al Jazeera.

Algeria's Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia resigned from his post soon after Bouteflika's announcement. A member of the incumbent President's inner circle, Nourredine Bedoui, has since been appointed as the new Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, another one of Bouteflika's allies, Ramtane Lamamra, was named as the first deputy Prime Minister - a post which was created on Monday by Presidential decree.

A lot of civil society organisations have slammed the incumbent President for not fulfilling the demands of the people.

"This is not a victory for the people because Bouteflika's measures are not consistent with the people's will. We have asked for his departure, for democracy and a state of law, and a real change of regime. This is not what we got," Abderrahmane, the co-founder of the Warda Project non-government organisation, told Al Jazeera.

"Algeria is turning into a monarchy against the people's will. We are now dealing with a president so eager to cling on power that he will stay in office until a date nobody knows," another protester said.