France confident of Algeria carrying responsible democratic transition

France's foreign minister said he was confident Algerians would continue their democratic transition in a "calm and responsible" way after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced his resignation on Tuesday.

"This is an important page in the history of Algeria that turns," Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement. "We are confident in the ability of all Algerians to continue this democratic transition in the same spirit of calm and responsibility."