Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune dismissed the minister of transport for "grave misconduct" in exercising his duties. No further details were provided.
Reasons for such moves are rarely publicized in Algeria, and he is the second transport minister to be sacked since the president took office in December 2019.
"Today, the President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune terminated the duties of the Minister of Transport, Aissa Bekkai, for committing a grave error in the exercise of his duties," the Algerian presidency announced.
Bekkai, 57, had held the position since July 2021. He previously served as deputy minister in charge of foreign trade in the first government of Tebboune's presidency that was appointed in January 2020.
Minister of Public Works Kamal Nasri was assigned as his acting replacement.
Bekkai's dismissal comes after the Ministry of Transport announced the operation of more than 100 additional international flights for the national airline, Air Algérie, starting March 15. Flights had been reduced to a minimum as part of coronavirus-related restrictions.
Lazhar Hani was sacked as transport minister in January 2021, along with the CEO of the state-owned airline Air Algerie for "importing banned goods" in violation of orders to prioritize local production and reduce imports.
The supplies were related to the catering activity onboard, when the airline was shut due to the pandemic and faced financial difficulties.
