- The President of Algeria, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has been on a longer visit to a Paris hospital, where he has had a "curgical intervention". According to a medical declaration published today by the Algerian presidency, Mr Bouteflika is now in good health. Sources in France however contradict this official statement, saying his condition is "critical".
The office of the presidency in Algiers today went out against rumours that President Bouteflika's health was "critical". According to an official statement, the Algerian leader was brought to hospital in Algiers on 26 November, as he was "suffering from hemorrhagic troubles resulting from gastric symptoms."
"After examinations and preliminary medical care, doctors recommended his travelling abroad for more examinations," the official press release said. "The Head of State on the same day travelled to France, where he was received at the hospital of Val de Grâce in Paris. The examinations revealed a bleeding stomach ulcer. A curgical intervention was thus recommended and done," the statement added.
The Algiers presidency finally assured that the operation had been done without any complications. The 68-year-old President had been in a "very good" medical condition during and after the operation. His current condition "presents no reason for worry," the official statement concludes. The presidency added a medical declaration signed by Professor Messaoud Zitouni to document its positive statement.
Reports by the French press, such as the daily 'Libération' however strongly contradict the Algerian official statement. The reports quote unnamed French officials who described the health of President Bouteflika as "very worrying" and his condition as "critical".
Also in the independent press in Algeria, speculations around President Bouteflika's health have circulated the last week. The Algiers press has strongly criticised authorities for not giving proper information on the President's health situation. Newspapers such as 'El Watan' and 'Jour d'Algérie' blame authorities for the many speculations and rumours circulating in the country.
Today's statement is not the first attempt by Algerian authorities try to calm down the population. Late last week, Algerian Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia said on national radio that the President's heals was "constantly improving". The Prime Minister further assured "that officials have no reason to hide anything about the health of the President."
While Algiers authorities maintain there is no reason for concerns, even the official statement cannot give an answer to when President Bouteflika is to return to Algeria. The presidency said Mr Bouteflika would still need "several days of normal post-operative recovery" before he could be released from the Paris hospital.
President Bouteflika, while not very popular among Algerians, has been able to bring some sort of stability to this large North African country, following decades of military rule, civil war and Islamist attacks. A possible power vacuum in Algiers is feared by Algerians and neighbours alike, as it could lead to new times of violence and destruction.
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