Algerians rejects Bouteflika offer, calls for immediate resignation

Thousands of Algerians resumed protests in the capital and other cities on Tuesday, calling on President Abdelaziz Boutelika to step down and rejecting his offer to not serve a full term after elections in April.

Tens of thousands of people have rallied in cities around Algeria, in the largest protests since the 2011 Arab Spring, calling on Bouteflika, 82, not to submit election papers for the April 18 polls. The papers were filed on Sunday. The unrest poses the biggest challenge yet to the ailing leader and the ruling elite made up of the ruling party, businessmen, the military and security services. "Game over" read one poster. "System - go away", said another, as students protested in cities including Constantine, Annaba and Blida.