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Algerian Tourism Minister Dismissed Three Days after Being Appointed | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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President Abdelaziz Bouteflika gestures during a swearing-in ceremony in Algiers April 28, 2014. REUTERS/Louafi Larbi


Algeria-Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika sacked his tourism minister on Sunday three days after he was appointed to the post.

A statement issued by the presidency did not say why Bouteflika had fired Messaoud Benagoun.

Algerian media had criticized Benagoun’s appointment, claiming that the 38-year-old had never had a job before joining the new government that was formed on Thursday.

Private television station Enahar claimed Benagoun held a fake university diploma and a criminal record, with several convictions, but did not specify for what offenses.

Benagoun belongs to the Popular Algerian Movement (MPA) which won 13 seats.

On Wednesday, Bouteflika appointed a new prime minister, Abdelmajid Tebboune, replacing his ally Abdelmalek Sellal in the wake of the election, and Tebboune formed his government the following day.