Algeria Mourns Former President Liamine Zeroual
Algeria has declared three days of national mourning following the death of former president Liamine Zeroual at the age of 84.
Zeroual, a former soldier, served as Algeria’s president from 1994 to 1999 during a turbulent period marked by civil conflict. Born on July 3, 1941, in Batna, he was a member of the National Liberation Army, which played a key role in the country’s struggle for independence from French rule.
He later led a transitional government during the civil war and oversaw Algeria’s first multi-party presidential election in 1995, which he won by a wide margin.
In a surprising move, Zeroual stepped down in 1998 before completing his term, paving the way for Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who went on to lead the country for two decades.
Despite leaving office early, Zeroual remained widely respected in retirement. The presidency confirmed he died at a military hospital in Algiers after a prolonged illness, with flags ordered to fly at half-mast nationwide in his honour.
