ALGIERS

Algeria will hold presidential elections on July 4, the country’s interim president announced Wednesday.

Abdul Qader bin Saleh called on the nation’s election board to prepare for the election.

Mass protests emerged Feb. 16 in Algiers after longtime strongman Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82, who ruled for more than 20 years, announced his candidacy for a fifth presidential term.

But following weeks of popular demonstrations against his continued rule, the aging president who is in ailing health, announced his resignation last Thursday.