According to the outlet, people started gathering in the center of the capital before Friday prayers and sermon. As of 2 p.m. local time (13:00 GMT), some areas were already filled with demonstrators. In social networks, users publish photos from the country’s largest cities, such as Oran, Tizi Ouzou, Setif, where residents also took to the streets. In the capital, the police, meanwhile, reportedly used tear gas against demonstrators.
The current demonstrations follow last week’s "Friday of rage" rallies, which demanded that Bouteflika withdraw his candidacy, as many consider him unable to perform duties due to health problems.
Bouteflika, who has been ruling Algeria since 1999, officially announced his presidential bid on February 10. The 81-year-old president expressed his determination to govern the country for another five years in a written statement, instead of addressing the voters personally.
READ MORE: Thousands of Students in Algeria Protest President's Reelection Bid
In 2013, Bouteflika spent several weeks in a hospital in France after suffering a minor stroke. He has been rarely seen in public ever since and uses a wheelchair.
The election will be held on April 18. The opposition has failed to agree on a common candidate.
