Algeria lawyers march to demand Bouteflika's exit

Hundreds of lawyers in Algeria marched in the country's capital, Algiers, to demand the departure of ailing 82-year-old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika at the end of his term scheduled on April 28.

Similar demonstrations were planned on Saturday in the country's other big cities.

Lawyers chanted anti-government slogans as they headed toward a central plaza in Algiers, where they sang the national anthem.

The march comes a day after thousands of people demonstrated for the fifth straight Friday since nationwide anti-Bouteflika protests began on February 22. Protests were also held in Paris.

Last week, Bouteflika indefinitely postponed April's national election and overhauled the government.

While he abandoned his bid for a fifth term in office, critics fear that he intends to hold onto power indefinitely. He has been president since 1999.