ALGIERS, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Calm was restored in major cities in Algeria on Friday after peaceful mass marches protesting a decision by incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to seek a fifth term.
Tens of thousands of protesters of different ages marched through the main streets of the capital Algiers, chanting anti-regime slogans, while anti-riot forces backed up by helicopters were canalizing the march to avoid violent altercations.
The march started after the Friday prayers from the suburb of Bab El Oued in downtown Algiers, passing by Martyrs Square and then through the main streets of the capital, as they finally reached the 1 Mai Square.
Later, the demonstrators headed to upper Algiers in an attempt to reach the president's office, but anti-riot forces deterred them by tear gas.
More anti-riot troops have been deployed in the heart of Algiers to secure key state institutions, including the parliament, banks, and the presidential cabinet.
Elsewhere, similar marches took place in major provinces of the North African nation, including Oran, Annaba, Constantine, Taref, and Tizi Ouzou.
The protesters expressed their rejection of the decision by an ailing Bouteflika to seek a fifth term in office.
So far, no violent incidents have been reported.
This march was called up last month by political activists via social media platforms, including Facebook.
On Feb. 10, Bouteflika announced that he would run in the forthcoming presidential election, due on April 18, while opposition parties urged him to quit the scene for a new generation to lead the country.
Bouteflika will leave for Geneva on Sunday for medical examinations, according to a presidential statement on Thursday.
The 81-year-old president suffered a stroke in 2013, as he was re-elected in 2014 for a fourth term until 2019.
