Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said Thursday he would stand in the April 9 elections for a third term in office, Algerian state radio reported.
The announcement was widely expected since Bouteflika, who will turn 72 on March 2, had the Algerian parliament amend the constitution last November to allow presidents to serve more than two terms, dpa reported.
Major opposition parties were outraged, and by way of protest would not present serious candidates to stand against Bouteflika.