Algeria's president asks people to vote him in for a 4th term, vows to amend constitution
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Algeria's ailing president has asked the country to vote him in for a fourth term in April's elections, promising to amend the constitution and solve the country's social woes.
The letter by 77-year-old Abdelaziz Bouteflika was carried Saturday by the state news agency and said "the difficulties linked to my physical health shouldn't disqualify me." Bouteflika had a stroke last year and now has trouble speaking and is confined to a wheelchair.
There have been protests against Bouteflika's decision to seek another term but with the backing of the state, he is expected to win.
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In the letter, he promised to amend the constitution to create a government "responding to the hopes of our people" as well as greater social justice.
Bouteflika first promised to change the constitution in 2011.