Algerian opposition proposes roadmap for power transition

ALGIERS, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Algerian major opposition personalities and parties on Saturday drew up a roadmap for paving the way for smooth transition of power in this North African nation.

opposition parties, personalities, activists and trade union representatives met in the headquarters of El Binaa party in Algiers.

They agreed to regroup under the new brand of "Forces of Change in Support of the People Choice," TSA news agency reported quoting a statement released by the participants at the end of their meeting.

They agreed on a roadmap that proposes political solution and should be implemented after the end of the current presidential term on April 28.

The roadmap suggests the creation of "a collegial presidential authority," in a bid to run a short transition period for less than six months.

This body would be "composed of credible, honest and competent national personalities who should adopt the demands of the people, as they would be tasked with the mission of forming a government of national competencies to manage current affairs of the country, establish an independent national body for organizing elections, and amend the electoral law to guarantee fair and free elections."

The members of the presidential collegial are committed not to run in any elections, underscored the statement.

Algerians have been staging wide scale marches since Feb. 22 across the country to claim political changes.

On March 11, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that the presidential election slated for April 18 will be postponed, and dropped his decision to seek a fifth presidential term.

He also pledged to form a new cabinet to pave the way for organizing a national inclusive conference to draft a new constitution and organize presidential election.

However, these propositions have been rejected by the protesters as they insist that the transition era should not be led by any representative of the government.