Liamine Zeroual
Liamine Zeroual was an Algerian general and statesman who led Algeria from 1994 to 1999. In 1995 he won the country's first presidential election open to several parties. He was born on 3 July 1941 in Batna and died on 28 March 2026 in Algiers.
Liamine Zeroual was an Algerian general and statesman who led Algeria from 1994 to 1999. In 1995 he won the country's first presidential election open to several parties. He was born on 3 July 1941 in Batna and died on 28 March 2026 in Algiers.
In 1957, at only 16, Zeroual joined the National Liberation Army (ALN) in the Aurès, the mountains around his home town.
After independence the young officer trained at military schools in Cairo and Moscow, and then at the École de guerre in Paris. He later directed the Cherchell Military Academy and commanded the military regions of Tamanrasset, Béchar and Constantine.
Promoted to general in 1988, Zeroual took command of the land forces in 1989 but left the army that December. After a short time as ambassador to Romania, he returned in July 1993 as minister of national defence.
On 30 January 1994 the High Council of State named him head of state. On 16 November 1995 he was elected president, and in 1996 a revised constitution limited presidents to 2 terms.
In September 1998 he announced an early presidential election, and on 27 April 1999 he handed power to Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Zeroual then retired to Batna. He was buried at the Bouzourane cemetery in Batna, 2 days after his death at 84.
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