Date: Apr 12, 2019 Source: The Daily Star Algeria's Interior Ministry allows 10 new political parties Army chief says will support transitional period Reuters ALGIERS: Algeria's Interior Ministry has issued licenses for 10 new political parties, private Ennahar TV said Wednesday, after a newly-appointed interim president vowed to organize free elections in the face of growing calls for democracy. Protesters in Algeria, a major oil and natural gas producer, have been demanding sweeping changes since unrest which erupted on Feb. 22 prompted long-serving, 82-year-old leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika to resign. On Tuesday, parliament named upper house chairman Abdel-Kader Bensalah as caretaker president, a move swiftly rejected by protesters who say they cannot accept any figures from the old guard under the National Liberation Front (FLN) that has dominated Algeria since independence from France in 1962. Allowing new political parties suggests some flexibility by the Algerian authorities, who have faced weeks of protests demanding immediate steps to introduce democratic reforms including political pluralism. Bensalah said late Tuesday he would organize elections that are expected to be held within 90 days. The military, which has held sway over Algerian politics from behind the scenes for decades, is expected to help guide a potentially volatile transition. Algerian army chief says will support transitional period: Ennahar Reuters ALGIERS: Algeria's army chief said Wednesday the military will support the transition period in the North African country but that period requires the people's patience, Ennahar TV reported. Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Gaid Salah was quoted as saying that the military will make sure to meet the people's demands, adding that some foreign parties have been trying to undermine Algeria's stability. Salah said he expected the judiciary to start prosecuting "the gang" - an apparent reference to the ruling elite. Algerian authorities have already seized the passports of a dozen businessmen under investigation over corruption allegations.