Algerian president names new head of constitutional council

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflica on Sunday appointed former foreign minister Mourad Medelci as President of the Constitutional Council, replacing Tayeb Bela'iz who was named as Minister of Interior and Local Government. Under Article 164 of the Constitution the President of the Republic could appoint the president of the nine-member Constitutional Council for a single six-year term. The article stipulates that Council is made up of three members - appointed by the President of the Pepublic including the Council president, two - elected by the National People's Assembly (Lower House), two - elected by the Council of Nation (senate), one - elected by the Supreme Court, and one - elected by the Council of State.