Bouteflika Reappears in Photos, on TV

Bouteflika with PM Sellal (R) and CoS Gaid Salah (L) (APS)

Yesterday the Algerian Press Service released the first photos of President Bouteflika since his stroke, shown meeting with Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and Deputy Minister for National Defense and the Chief of Staff of People’s National Army Ahmed Gaid at the Invalides Veterans' Hospital in Paris. The meeting lasted two hours, and Algerian television also showed video of Bouteflika talking and drinking coffee.

Official statements are also now using
the term "cerebrovascular accident," rather than "transient ischemic attack," suggesting the stroke was indeed more than the "mini-stroke" originally described. But the photos of the meeting are clearly intended to put to rest the rumors that Bouteflika is in a coma. It remains to be seen, however, whether the ailing 76-year-old President will run for a fourth term next year.