The Algerian parliament has elected an Islamist opposition politician, Slimane Chenine, to be its new speaker. The governing FLN party, which holds a strong parliamentary majority, said it had put the national interest above its own by supporting Mr Chenine’s candidacy.
His predecessor, Mouad Bouchareb, who was a staunch supporter of former long-time President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, resigned last week after months of protests calling for him to step down.