Bouteflika, Abdelaziz (1937- )

Algerian politician and diplomat, elected president in April 1999 amidst accusations of a fraudulent election. He joined the Armée de Liberation Nationale (ALN) in 1956 and became minister of sports and tourism in 1962, and of foreign affairs from 1963-79. A close ally of Boumédienne, he was one of the small group of politicians and officers that masterminded the coup against Ben Bella in 1965.

A dynamic and ambitious diplomat, Bouteflika played a major role in the shaping and conduct of Algeria's foreign policy. He represented his country in several regional and international meetings and conferences, one of which was his assumption of the presidency of the special session of the UN General Assembly on the New International Economic Order in 1975.