PresidentAlgerian Abdelaziz Bouteflika. (Source: AP)

Some security sources in Algeria said on September 13 that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika had replaced Director of the Military Intelligence Service (DRS) Mohamed Mediene.

This is considered the latest move to limit the influence of General Mediene - one of the most mysterious and powerful figures in Algeria, on the country's politics.

General Mohamed Mediene, also known as Toufik, has led the DRS for 25 years and is considered to have held power for a record length of time compared to other intelligence chiefs in history. He is also believed to have played a major role in appointing important positions in Algeria.

President Bouteflika began to seek to reduce the influence of the military and the DRS intelligence agency in the political sphere before his re-election in the April 2014 election. President Bouteflika has led Algeria for three terms.

According to VN+