Algeria's interim prez assures of conducting free elections

Algeria's interim president, in a televised speech to the nation, promised on Tuesday to organise free elections after weeks of protests that led to the resignation of 20-year leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

Abdelkader Bensalah, who was rejected by demonstrators right after parliament chose him to lead a transition period, said the army was aligned with the constitution as a pathway out of the crisis. He said he would consult with the political class and civil society alike in pursuit of a new Algeria.