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Merkel postpones Algeria visit due to president's health

Xinhua, February 21, 2017 Adjust font size:

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Algeria scheduled for Monday and Tuesday has been postponed to a later date due to Algerian President Bouteflika "acute bronchitis," according to the statement issued by the president office.

"Algerian and German authorities mutually agreed on Monday to postpone Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel's official visit," read the official APS agency's statement.

The source specified that the visit will be rescheduled on a date to be agreed upon by both parties.

President Bouteflika, 80, is recovering from a stroke at the end of April 2013 which restricted his mobility and presidential activities.

The president's health has been the subject of controversy as opposition parties claim he can no longer govern the country and ought to step down.

Bouteflika came to power in 1999 and was reelected in April 2014 for a fourth 5-year-term. Endit