Algeria on Monday held a state funeral with full military honours for former president Liamine Zeroual, who was laid to rest in his hometown of Batna at the age of 84.

Abdelmadjid Tebboune joined mourners at the ceremony, paying tribute to the former general who led the country during a critical period in its modern history.

Zeroual died on Saturday at a military hospital in Algiers following a prolonged illness. The Algerian government declared three days of national mourning in his honour.

A career soldier, Zeroual began his service in Algeria’s National Liberation Army, where he fought in the war of independence against French colonial rule. He rose through the ranks to become a general by 1988 and was appointed minister of defence in 1993.

He assumed the presidency in 1994 during a time of political instability and later oversaw Algeria’s first pluralistic presidential election in 1995. Zeroual won the vote with more than 60 percent, securing a popular mandate.

Despite remaining widely respected after leaving office in 1999, Zeroual consistently declined calls to return to political leadership, choosing instead to remain out of public office.

His death marks the passing of a key figure in Algeria’s post-independence political and military history. (AriseNews TV)