After two decades in power, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will not be seeking re-election, his office announced late on Monday.
The news sent hundreds to the streets of Algiers to celebrate the end to weeks of protests.
The ailing Mr Bouteflika, 82, told the national news agency APS that the April elections would be postponed but he did not set a new date.
The elections would follow a national conference on political and constitutional reform to be completed by the end of 2019.
The presidency said there would be a government reshuffle and Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia announced his resignation.
For the past two weeks there have been daily protests across the country and on Friday tens of thousands took to the streets of the capital in a largely peaceful rally.
Mr Bouteflika vowed "to hand over the duties and prerogatives of the president of the republic to the successor freely chosen by the Algerian people".
He said that "there will not be a fifth term" but implied that he would remain in office until his term expires on April 28.
It is unclear what will happen after that date.
Mr Bouteflika said he was responding to "a pressing demand" from the people.
Late on Monday, Ennahar TV announced that the new prime minister was Noureddine Bedoui and said Ramtane Lamara was appointed to the new position of deputy prime minister.
Protesters have demanded a new leadership and an end to "le pouvoir" – a tiny elite of military officers, veterans and big businessmen who have governed for years.
Mr Bouteflika suffered a stroke in 2013 and has rarely been seen in public since.
Tens of thousands of people from all social classes demonstrated against his decision to stand for a fifth term in office, rejecting a stale political system dominated by veterans of an independence war against France that ended in 1962. Mr Bouteflika has ruled for 20 years.
Algerians yesterday took to the streets of the capital, shouting, dancing and honking car horns.
But a sense of scepticism prevailed.
"His declarations raise a lot of questions," Khadidja Nemar, chief legal adviser at Mena Rights, told The National.
“He denies having ever thought of a fifth mandate while declarations from his party were pretty clear about it.
“He says he won’t be candidate but on the other hand he is prolonging his mandate without invoking any sound legal basis for it.”
Mr Bouteflika earlier told protesters that if he were re-elected in April he would stand down within a year after a national discussion on the constitution.
Many on social media said Monday's announcement looked remarkably similar to his previous offer.
Over the weekend more than 1,000 Algerian judges said they were joining the protests and refusing to oversee the election process if the president ran.
On Sunday, they said they were forming a new association. Justice Minister Tayeb Louh responded to the movement by calling for neutrality.
The country's chief of staff said the military and the people had a united vision of the future. This was considered a sign that the military did not stand with the government.
Mr Bouteflika has commanded much respect for his role in ending Algeria's civil war and bringing the country together after the bloody chapter in which more than 200,000 were killed.
But he held a tight rein on the country and his government was unable to create jobs, despite a massive investment drive through the 2000s paid for by exploiting large reserves of oil, gas and other natural resources.
Today Algerians are happy but not content, Ms Nemar said.
“But bottom line, the demands were about the whole system of governance that Bouteflika personifies,” she said.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Day 1 results:
Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)
Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20ASI%20(formerly%20DigestAI)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Quddus%20Pativada%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Artificial%20intelligence%2C%20education%20technology%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%243%20million-plus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GSV%20Ventures%2C%20Character%2C%20Mark%20Cuban%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3EFounder%3A%20Hani%20Abu%20Ghazaleh%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20with%20an%20office%20in%20Montreal%3Cbr%3EFounded%3A%202018%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Virtual%20Reality%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%241.2%20million%2C%20and%20nearing%20close%20of%20%245%20million%20new%20funding%20round%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Walls
Louis Tomlinson
3 out of 5 stars
(Syco Music/Arista Records)
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5