ALGIERS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Army Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah on Monday reiterated that holding presidential elections is the only way to get the country out of the crisis.
Gaid Salah paid a visit to the 4th military region in southernmost province of Ouargla, during which he addressed military officials and troops.
He urged for establishing an independent election watchdog group, stressing that "holding free and fair elections is the only option to solve the crisis."
He further argued that holding elections would prevent Algeria from falling into "the trap of constitutional vacuum" and its consequent risks.
He warned that the political deadlock and constitutional vacuum would have severe consequences on the country's economy and society, especially on the investment and employment, as well as the purchasing power.
The military chief ruled out leading a national conference to find a way out of the crisis, but called for holding dialogue between representatives of the protesters and the state institutions without the participation of the army.
Several political parties and prominent figures have made proposals to solve the political crisis in Algeria after the resignation of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika amid unprecedented protests across the country since Feb. 22.
Most of the proposals opposed to the holding of the presidential elections which were slated for July 4, calling for a replacement of the current cabinet and interim president before holding "fair and free elections."
The mass protests across the country started on Feb. 22 over Bouteflika's bid for a fifth presidential term.
On April 2, Bouteflika resigned under the pressure, and cancelled the presidential elections scheduled for April 18.
Head of the upper house of parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah, was then appointed interim president for 90 days, according to the Algerian Constitution.
Bensalah has announced the organization of a presidential election within three months.
