Algerian president's post-Covid foot operation a success

Abdelmadjid Tebboune travelled between Germany and Algeria for health reasons since October 28

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has been the object of vehement protests in recent days. EPA

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune underwent a successful foot operation in Germany on Wednesday after post-Covid-19 complications, the presidency said on Wednesday.

Mr Tebboune "had an operation on his right foot, with success", said a statement published on the Facebook account of the presidency.

He is expected to return to Algeria in the "coming days", as soon as his medical team agrees, it said.

Aged 75 and a heavy smoker, Mr Tebboune was originally admitted to hospital in Germany on October 28. Algerian authorities later confirmed that he had Covid-19.

He returned home in late December and dealt with urgent business including signing a new constitution into law and approving the annual budget.

Then the presidency announced 10 days ago that he had travelled back to Germany for further medical attention to complications involving his foot.

A November referendum on an altered constitution, strongly backed by the presidency, received the backing of less than 15 per cent of the electorate.

The vote was overshadowed by the pandemic and calls for a boycott by the Hirak protest movement.

Mr Tebboune in December 2019 won office in another widely boycotted poll, with an official turnout of less than 40 per cent.

That came eight months after mass Hirak protests swept his ailing predecessor Abdelaziz Bouteflika from office.

Mr Tebboune's initial convalescence in Germany reminded many Algerians of octogenarian Mr Bouteflika's frequent hospital admissions abroad.

Upon his return to the country in December, Mr Tebboune appeared to have regained weight and looked in fair health.

He suggested that he had nearly recovered, but was seen wearing a brace on his right foot.