Algeria has declared three days of national mourning beginning Sunday following the passing of former President Liamine Zeroual, who died at the age of 84.
The former military leader, who governed the nation from 1994 to 1999, passed away at a military hospital in Algiers after battling a serious illness.
Born on July 3, 1941, in the eastern city of Batna, Zeroual was a veteran of Algeria’s National Liberation Army, the force that secured the country’s independence from French colonial rule.
His political legacy is most noted for his leadership during a turbulent civil war; after heading a transitional administration, Zeroual successfully organized Algeria’s first multi-party presidential election in 1995, an contest he won by a wide margin.
Despite his electoral success, Zeroual unexpectedly decided to cut his five-year term short in 1998.
This move cleared the path for Abdelaziz Bouteflika to take office, who subsequently led the nation for two decades.
Throughout his retirement, Zeroual maintained a high level of public respect. In honor of his service and passing, the Algerian presidency announced that flags would fly at half-mast across the country during the mourning period.
