Algeria PM says 82 year old President Bouteflika will run for 5th term in elections

Algeria's prime minister says 82-year-old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will seek a fifth term in this year's election through a letter to the Algerian people in the coming days. Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia told a press conference Saturday about his "strong belief" that Bouteflika will run in the North African nation's April 18 election.

He says "all signs show it and with a little bit of analysis we can easily understand that he's in and that it's only a matter of time." Ouyahia added that he thinks Bouteflika remains "the best candidate" despite ailing health.

The Algerian leader is partially paralysed from a stroke and is rarely seen in public. Two other candidates, former Prime Minister Ali Benflis and Ret. Gen. Ali Ghediri, have already declared they are running for president.

(With inputs from agencies.)