Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika made his first public appearance Saturday since he was sworn in for his fourth term as head of state in April, according to Agence France Presse.
Algeria's state television showed 77-year-old Bouteflika participating at a national independence day celebration at the martyr's cemetary in the capital's suburb of El Alia.
Bouteflika, who is a former officer of the National Liberation Army (NLA) that led the country to its independence from France 52 years ago, was honored by Republican Guards and greeted by the country's main political leaders at the event.
In what was considered a highly-debated bid due to his ailing health, Bouteflika began his fourth term as president of Algeria on April 28. No president has ever served as long as Bouteflika since the former French colony gained its independence in 1962.
