Police deploy tear gas against anti-Bouteflika protesters in Algiers

Tens of thousands of Algerians gathered in the country's capital on Friday to protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid to run for a fifth term in office, according to local media reports.

Flag-waving demonstrators chanted slogans, including "leave means leave" and "regime murderers," in central Algiers following Friday prayers.

Thousands of demonstrators were pushed back from the Government Palace by plumes of police tear gas, according to AFP. 

Bouteflika, who uses a wheelchair and has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, announced on 10 February that he will run for another term in office in the 18 April presidential election.

At 81, he is Algeria's longest-serving president and a veteran of its independence struggle who has clung to power since 1999 despite his ill health.

Protesters have been mobilised by calls on social media and say the latest demonstrations are aimed not only at Bouteflika's bid to extend his 20-year tenure, but also against "the system" as a whole.

On Friday, protests also took place in Oran, Constantine, Setif, Tizi Ouzou and Bouira, according to local media.