An Algerian government Gulfstream takes off from Cointrin airport in Geneva, Switzerland, March 10, 2019. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

GENEVA (Reuters) - An Algerian government plane that was expected to fly President Abdelaziz Bouteflika back to Algiers took off from Geneva’s Cointrin airport on Sunday.

Bouteflika was expected to return to Algeria after two weeks in a Swiss hospital as he faces mass protests that threaten to end his 20-year rule.

A Reuters correspondent saw the plane take off.