Germany: Chancellor Cancels Visit To Algeria

German Chancellor Angela Merkel canceled her trip to Algeria on Feb. 20, AFP reported. Merkel called off the visit at the last minute, just an hour before her flight was scheduled to leave. The trip was canceled because Algerian President Abdel Aziz Bouteflika is reportedly suffering from severe bronchitis. Rumours continue to swirl around the health of the Algerian president. For nearly three years now, Bouteflika has rarely been seen in public, and there are concerns over his ability to function. What will happen when the president dies is uncertain, given the amount of jockeying for power taking place within the Algerian political elite.