Algeria’s Tebboune Makes 1st Appearance Since Hospitalization

An image grab taken from a video published on the personal twitter account of Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on December 13, 2020 shows him delivering a speech to a camera next to an Algerian flag. (Photo by - / AFP)
An image grab taken from a video published on the personal twitter account of Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on December 13, 2020 shows him delivering a speech to a camera next to an Algerian flag. (Photo by - / AFP)
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Algeria’s Tebboune Makes 1st Appearance Since Hospitalization

An image grab taken from a video published on the personal twitter account of Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on December 13, 2020 shows him delivering a speech to a camera next to an Algerian flag. (Photo by - / AFP)
An image grab taken from a video published on the personal twitter account of Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on December 13, 2020 shows him delivering a speech to a camera next to an Algerian flag. (Photo by - / AFP)

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Sunday made his first appearance since he was flown to a hospital in Germany 47 days ago after testing positive for the coronavirus, saying he will be back home soon.

Tebboune, 75, who appeared in a video on Twitter and a broadcast on state television, said he is expected to make a complete recovery within three weeks at the latest.

"I'm recovering...I will recover my physical capacities in a week, two weeks or three weeks," he said. "We will soon be in the country to continue building a new Algeria.”

The president’s office issued a statement on Nov. 30 saying Tebboune had left a “specialized” medical facility, was continuing his convalescence and should be returning home “in the coming days.”

The absence of the head of state, who also serves as defense chief, recalled the long absences of his predecessor, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, for treatment in France of a stroke in 2013 and later in Switzerland for numerous medical check-ups, with lots of speculation and little information on his whereabouts or health.

Bouteflika rarely appeared in public but kept ruling. He was forced to abandon his bid for a fifth term last year before being pushed from office under pressure from street protests and the powerful army.

Tebboune left for Germany Oct. 28.

Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad has been in charge during Tebboune’s absence.



Türkiye's AJet to Start Flights to Syria's Damascus

A United Nations airliner is pictured on the tarmac of the closed Damascus International Airport on December 11, 2024, three days after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. (AFP)
A United Nations airliner is pictured on the tarmac of the closed Damascus International Airport on December 11, 2024, three days after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. (AFP)
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Türkiye's AJet to Start Flights to Syria's Damascus

A United Nations airliner is pictured on the tarmac of the closed Damascus International Airport on December 11, 2024, three days after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. (AFP)
A United Nations airliner is pictured on the tarmac of the closed Damascus International Airport on December 11, 2024, three days after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. (AFP)

Turkish Airlines subsidiary AJet said it will start flights to Damascus International from Istanbul and Ankara airports in mid-June.

AJet said in a statement that flights from Istanbul's Sabiha Gokcen airport will begin from June 16.

Flights will initially take place four times per week before operating daily from July, it added, Reuters reported.

Flights to Damascus from the Turkish capital Ankara will start from June 17, three-times per week, the carrier also said.

Turkish Airlines resumed flights to Damascus in January after a 13-year suspension.

Türkiye, a close ally of the new government in Damascus, has pledged to support the country's reconstruction.

Ankara has already helped with the improvement and maintenance of Syria's airports, the Turkish transport minister has said.