Algerians march in protest of Bouteflika's decision to run

Tens of thousands of Algerians on Friday took to the streets to protest the decision of incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to seek a fifth term.

In the capital Algiers, thousands of protesters of different ages marched through the main streets, chanting anti-regime slogans, while riot police, backed by helicopters, were canalizing the march to avoid violence.

Similar marches were held in other major provinces of the North African nation, where protesters called for change and expressed their rejection to the decision of ailing Bouteflika to seek a fifth term in office, local media reported.

So far, no violent altercations or incidents have been reported.

This march was called last month by political activists via social media platforms including Facebook.

On Feb. 10, Bouteflika announced that he would run for the presidential elections due on April 18, while opponent parties urged him to leave the position to allow a new generation to lead the country.

Bouteflika will leave for Geneva on Sunday for medical examinations, a presidential statement said Thursday.

Bouteflika, 81, was hit by a stroke in 2013, a year before he was re-elected for a fourth term until 2019.