Algeria’s military chief Ahmed Gaid Salah dies

Algeria’s military chief Ahmed Gaid Salah dies

Gen Salah, one of the last veterans of the 1954-62 independence war against France still in power, died of a heart attack.

Gen Salah has been replaced as acting army head by Gen Said Chengriha and three days of mourning have been announced.

Gen Salah played a major role in organising presidential elections on 12 December.

Biographical details
Born in 1940 in Batna region, 300km (186 miles) southwest of Algiers
Joined National Liberation Army aged 17, and fought against French colonial forces
After independence in 1962 attended Soviet military academy and rose through ranks
Chief of land forces during civil war against Islamist insurgents in 1990s

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