Algeria declared three days of national mourning on Sunday after the death of former president Liamine Zeroual, who died at the age of 84 following a long illness.
Zeroual passed away at a military hospital in the capital, Algiers, the presidency announced, prompting tributes to a leader widely respected for guiding the country through one of its most difficult periods.
Born on July 3, 1941, in the eastern city of Batna, Zeroual joined the National Liberation Army and fought in Algeria’s war of independence against French colonial rule.
He later rose to national leadership during the violent civil conflict of the 1990s, serving as head of a transitional administration tasked with restoring stability.
In 1995, Zeroual oversaw Algeria’s first multi-party presidential election and won a decisive mandate, marking a key moment in the country’s political transition.
In a move that surprised many, he stepped down early in 1998, opening the way for Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who would go on to lead Algeria for two decades.
Despite withdrawing from public life, Zeroual retained broad respect across Algerian society, with many praising his modesty and commitment to national service.
Authorities said flags would be flown at half-mast across the country during the mourning period as Algerians pay tribute to his legacy.
His death closes a chapter in Algeria’s modern history shaped by revolution, internal conflict and attempts to build democratic institutions.