Balkhadem confirms Butaflika is in charge

The personal envoy for the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika stressed that the president is recovering from a stomach surgery and continues to run the affairs of the country during his recovery period in Val De Grace military hospital in Paris.

Balkhadem said in statements to the press in Algeria that Balkhadem is continuously contacting the government and takes the necessary measures. He explained that the activities of the ministers inside and outside the country continue normally, and also the governmental and ministerial meetings are held normally.

Replying to a question on the date of the president's return back to Algeria, Balkhadem said that only doctors would decide that.