ALGIERS, Algeria

Algeria on Saturday declared a three-day mourning period following the death of former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The Algerian Presidency said in a statement that flags will be flown at half-mast during the mourning period.

Bouteflika died Friday evening at the age of 84.

Having come to power in 1999 following the country's civil war, Bouteflika ruled Algeria despite suffering from paralysis in 2015 amid his deteriorating health.

He ran for president for a fifth term in February 2019, which turned the final straw. The move triggered mass demonstrations in the country.

With the Algerian army announcing support to the growing protests, Bouteflika was forced to resign in April 2019.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar in Ankara