Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Monday again defied mass protests calling for his immediate resignation, insisting on a plan to elect a successor only after a national conference and new constitution is approved.

Mr Bouteflika, 82, last week bowed to demonstrators who say he is unfit to run Algeria by announcing he had reversed a decision to stand for another term.

But he stopped short of stepping down and postponed elections due in April, in effect extending his current term until a new constitution can be prepared.

In a letter reported by Ennahar television, the veteran leader repeated an earlier plan for a national conference to reform the political system, which would be held shortly.

The forum will take "decisive decisions", state television quoted him as saying. A new constitution will then pave the way for a new president, the private Ennahar station added.