Algerian President Bouteflika wins re-election with 81.53 percent of the vote

ALGIERS, Algeria, April 18 (UPI) -- Ailing Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been re-elected, officials announced Friday.

Bouteflika won his fourth term with 81.53 percent of the vote, said Minister of Interior and Local Authorities Tayeb Belaiz.

He beat out former Prime Minister Ali Benflis, who was considered his main challenger. On Thursday, Benflis captured just 12.18 percent of the votes.

The 77-year-old Bouteflika has been president of Algeria since 1999. He has suffered from ill health for years and was hospitalized in Paris for four months in 2013.

[Algeria Press Service]