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Hundreds of Algerians rallied Wednesday in front of the offices of the country's largest union, calling on its leader to stop relations with deposed president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
"Free the union", reads a sign of protesters before the powerful General Union of Algerian Workers (UGTA) in the capital Algiers, where Abdelmadjid Sidi Said has been secretary general since 1997.
According to an AFP photographer, about 1,000 people rallied to the resignation of Sidi Said, who for years was one of Bouteflika's most enthusiastic supporters.
The veteran president decided to stand for re-election, resulting in crowds on the streets during weeks of protests, prompting the 82-year-old to resign on April 2.
After more than a month of mbad protests, Sidi Said finally welcomed the call of the army chief demanding that Bouteflika be declared unfit to govern.
Despite the president's resignation, rallies continued as protesters pressed for Bouteflika's restricted circle to withdraw and for a broad revision of the political system.
With Sidi Said, protesters targeted Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, who has since been fired, and the tycoon Ali Haddad, who was arrested.
They also challenged the appointment of Acting President Abdelakder Bensalah, former Speaker of the Upper House, who set the presidential elections as July 4th.
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