Boutelfika sets Algeria presidential vote for April 17

<p><span>Algeria’s ageing leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Friday called a presidential election for April 17, a day after returning from medical treatment in France, without indicating if he himself would stand.&nbsp;</span><br><span>“Bouteflika today proceeded with the signing of the presidential decree convening the electoral body for Thursday, April 17, 2014, for the election of the presidency of the republic,” a statement from the president’s office said.</span><br><br><span>With Bouteflika’s health woes making his own participation increasingly unlikely, the leadership contest is likely to be one of the most important in years in the energy-rich North African country, which is a key player in the fight against Islamist militants plaguing the region.</span><br>
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