The Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Karman said the mass demonstrations that took place today in Algeria boost expectations of the failure of Abdelaziz Bouteflika's candidacy for a fifth term.

"The great picture of Algeria's demonstrations today reminds us of the night of the departure of Tunisian President Zain El Abidine Ben Ali and his fall," said Karman on her official Facebook page.

She said: “It can be said that the Algerian people dropped today the fifth covenant with the ruling mafia, that insisted on the nomination of a clinically dead to continue looting the country and controlling its resources.”

Karman explained that about $ 120 billion is the amount of taxes that were not officially collected and registered in the last five years in Algeria. She said the amount is enough to cover  food for all the Algerian people for many years.

"This is why the generals are keen to nominate a man who no longer hears, reads, writes or speaks. Algeria needs a revolution that takes over the domination of military generals and  bandits," said Karman.

Thousands of Algerians gathered in the capital on Friday to protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's plan to extend his 20-year rule by running for a fifth term in April's elections. 

Thousands have also taken to the streets in other cities, including Setif, Oran, Blida, Bejaia, Ghardaia and Annaba.

Police clashed with demonstrators near the Presidential Palace in the capital, Algeria, and fired tear gas at the stone-throwing demonstrators.