Algerian President taken to hospital after strokeApril 28, 2013 - 16:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Algeria's president was taken to hospital after having a mini-stroke without serious complications, the state news agency said, according to Belfast Telegraph. Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 76, had a brief blockage of a blood vessel - called a transient ischemic attack - around noon yesterday, April 27 Rachid Bougherbal, the director of the national centre of sports medicine told the state news agency. "His excellency the president of the republic must observe a period of rest for further examinations," he said, adding that "there was no reason for worry". Premier Abdelmalek Sellal said the president was in hospital, "but the situation is not serious". Bouteflika has ruled the oil-rich North African country since 1999 and has long been believed to be in poor health and rarely appears in public. The state news agency rarely carries any reports on the president's health. The announcement also comes as speculation is rife that Bouteflika will run for a fourth term in presidential elections just a year away, despite promises to step down. In Algeria, power is delicately shared between civilian politicians and the powerful military. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |