Details about meeting between Martyrs’ sons and president Zeroual

Algerian former president Liamine Zeroual shed tears when he received a delegation of war veterans’ sons who asked him to run for office in the presidential elections 2014.

“Yes, there are problems but they can be treated and can be faced,” Zeroual told the delegation.

He added that the country experienced big development in all the sectors.

A member of the delegation asked him to accept to run a transition phase. Zeroual replied: “if there is an emergency need, I can accept that.”

“But you have to accept due to the current situation, social and economic situation and corruption,” another member told him.

Zeroual did not make any comment.

Regional coordinator of the National federation of Martyrs’ Sons Abdelmadjid Akerzif said Zeroual talked about the absence of President Bouteflika due to his illness and the reactivation of Article 88 of the Constitution. It stipulates that the President of the Council of Nation takes over power in a temporary way and anticipated presidential elections must be prepared.

Debate between Zeroual and the delegation’s members did not come up with a result.

“Algeria is a young country and must be run by young people,” Zeroual said.

According to members, Zeroual’s position is explained by his conviction that Algeria does not face a clear danger at present. He did not express any fear about the Arab Spring which “will never happen in Algeria,” he says, “in view of the country’s experiences.”

The Martyrs’ sons plan to multiply efforts and put pressure on Zeroual by setting up provincial commissions and giving their idea a popular dimension.