Algeria paid its final respects to former president Liamine Zeroual on Monday, as the 84‑year‑old was buried in his hometown of Batna with full military honors. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune joined mourners in the ceremony.
Zeroual, who died Saturday after a long illness, led Algeria from 1994 to 1999. A veteran of the National Liberation Army, he rose to general by 1988 and later served as defense minister. In 1995, he organized Algeria’s first pluralistic presidential election, winning with more than 60% of the vote.
Though popular in retirement, Zeroual declined repeated calls to return to politics. Algeria declared three days of national mourning in his honor, marking the passing of a leader remembered for guiding the country through a turbulent era.
