The Algerian army chief calls for "mutual concessions"

The head of the Algerian armed forces on Tuesday called for "mutual concessions" between the interim leaders of the country and protesters demanding wider changes, nearly two months after the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, long in office.

General Ahmed Gaid Salah said that the priority was "to go in the direction of a productive dialogue that will help our country" to come out of the crisis and guarantee the holding of elections in the best deadlines.

Gaid Salah, who has become a strong de facto man since Bouteflika resigned on April 2 from mbadive protests, repeatedly called for a constitutional solution through a July 4 presidential election.

But only two little-known personalities submitted their nominations in time for the disputed poll, raising doubts about the interim leaders' plan to stage it.

Protesters who oppose any election held under the control of the authorities that they say they are tarnished by the corruption of Bouteflika are strongly opposed to the election.

They want the regime's personalities, including Gaid Salah and acting president Abdelkader Bensalah, to withdraw before any vote, and demand new independent institutions to oversee the vote.

"Establishing a dialogue means everyone's willingness to listen … and a sincere desire to find appropriate solutions without delay," said Gaid Salah, quoted by the Ministry of Defense.

The general called for a constructive dialogue in which "mutual concessions" can be agreed upon and "the differences are overcome, or at least the gaps between conflicting viewpoints are reduced".

Gaid Salah warned against an endless transition and spoke of the civil war in the country, in which he urged Algerians to "learn from past experiences and events".

Algeria is shaken by months of protests since Bouteflika, ill, announced in February that he would run for a fifth term.

He left office but protesters continued to demonstrate en mbade to demand a redesign of the "system" and the departure of personalities of the Bouteflika era.

Under the constitution, Bensalah has 90 days to run a presidential election from the date of his appointment on April 9.