ALGIERS, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Army Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah on Thursday said the army would not tolerate any attempt aiming at sowing chaos.
He made the remarks in an implicit response to parties that called on the army to intervene in the political arena to pave the way for changes ahead of the presidential election due in 2019.
The National People's Army is an army that knows its limits, including the framework of its constitutional missions, which cannot be involved in entanglements between parties and politics, said Salah, also a vice defense minister, at a ceremony to honor young laureates at the army academy.
"The National People's Army is an army that will not allow any attempt aiming at causing chaos, and will not allow trouble that could be envisaged by some parties ready to put Algeria at risk to achieve or to safeguard their personal interests," he stressed.
He noted that Algeria "is not a fighting arena or a race track for anyone who wants to reap trophies and make disgraceful personal and individual profits."
Some observers say his statement was destined to some political parties who called upon the army to endorse and protect a transition era ahead of organizing new election.
In fact, the Islamist opposition Movement for Peace Society (MSP), led by Abderrezak Mokri, proposes an initiative called the National Accord Initiative, which invites all political parties and figures to pave the way for a transition era for free and fair elections.
MSP, the country's third political force in parliament after the ruling National Liberation Front and the National Democratic Rally, says its initiative's success requires endorsement and protection of the People's National Army.
Head of MSP denies that his party calls for army intervention in political affairs, but considers that the army would rather play the role of protector of this initiative.
Prominent opposition parties in Algeria have been calling ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down over health reasons, and call for early elections.
However, ruling parties, pro-regime parties and organizations have already announced that they endorse Bouteflika to run for a 5th term in office in April 2019 Presidential Election.
