Algeria's President Approves New Gov't Led by Prime Minister Ouyahia

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika approved the new cabinet led by Ahmed Ouyahia with four changes in comparison to the previous government, the president's press service said in a statement Thursday.

ALGIERS (Sputnik) — Media reported on Tuesday, citing the press service, that Bouteflika had decided to replace Abdelmadjid Tebboune who had been working as a prime minister for less than three months with Ouyahia who had previously been in the position three times.

According to the statement, the majority of the ministers have kept their posts in the new cabinet led by Ouyahia, including Energy Minister Mustapha Guitouni and Finance Minister Abderrahamane Rouia. As for the changes, former Energy Minister Youcef Yousfi will head the Ministry of Industry in the new cabinet, Mohamed Benmeradi will serve in the position of trade minister, and Abdelwahid Temmar will be the housing minister.

In its Tuesday's statement, Bouteflika's press service reportedly provided no reason for Tebboune's dismissal. According to the Arab media, Tebboune, who has been implementing the austerity policies in the country, had been criticized by the Algerian president earlier in August over obstructing the activities of the Algerian businesses.