Zeroual: I am 72 and I will not run for office

Algerian former President Liamine Zeroual Wednesday said he will not run for office in the forthcoming presidential elections 2014 and it is time for young generation to bear responsibility.

Delegations from 24 provinces gathered next to Zeroual’s house in Batna (east of Algiers) calling on him to run for office. They shouted slogans such as “Algeria needs you,” “We are waiting for you.”

Zeroual who was surrounded by his bodyguards waved them and started talking.

“I will tell you something you have to think about. Algeria has many men capable of assuming responsibility. It is not about a certain person. Algeria is full of men,” he told them.

“You have honored me by your call. I am grateful and I appreciate that but you have to realize that it is time to let young generation to assume responsibility,” he added.

“I joined the Revolution at 16. You have to understand my situation. I am 72 year old now,” he said to express his refusal to run for office or to run a transition phase.

The rally was organized by the Commission of the War Veterans’ Sons in an attempt to push Zeroual to run for office in the presidential elections 2014.

Some persons in the rally shouted “People suffer from injustice.” Zeroual replied to them saying “injustice does not exist and God is here.” He kept repeating that expression before he closed his house door. People stayed there as authorities blocked routes ahead of the event.