Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has vowed to amend the constitution to “strengthen democracy.” Bouteflika’s pledge comes after January’s political protests inspired by uprisings sweeping the Arab world,BCC reports.
“To crown the institutional edifice with the aim of strengthening democracy, it is important to introduce the necessary amendments to the constitution,” he said in his first address to the nation in three months.
Bouteflika also downplayed tensions between his country and neighboring Morocco over the disputed territory of Western Sahara.
“Morocco is a neighbor and brother. We must cooperate,” Bouteflika said Sunday (April 17) during a visit to the border city of Tlemcen, as reported by The Associated Press.
