People gather during the funeral Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, in Algiers, Algeria, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019. Algeria is holding an elaborate military funeral for the general who was the de facto ruler of the gas-rich country amid political turmoil throughout this year. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou)
The Associated Press
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) - Algeria held an elaborate military funeral Wednesday for the general who was the gas-rich country's de facto ruler amid political turmoil throughout this year.
Big crowds packed the route of the funeral cortege Wednesday to pay homage to Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, chief of the armed forces. Some people ran alongside flower-draped military vehicles, shouting in grief. Others saluted his coffin, draped in the Algerian flag, or kissed his portrait.
The 79-year-old Gaid Salah died unexpectedly Monday after a heart attack, plunging Algeria into new uncertainty after 10 months of pro-democracy protests.
After a ceremony at the Palace of the People, he was buried at the El Alia cemetery alongside others who fought in Algeria's war for independence from France. Algeria's military plays a central role in decision-making in this country, a key ally to Western powers in fighting Islamic extremism.
Gaid Salah leaves behind a mixed legacy.
Some mourned him as a symbol of the fading independence generation and a guarantor of stability amid this year's protests. Others saw him as epitomizing an opaque leadership out of touch with worries of Algeria's large youth population.
Gaid Salah helped force out longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April amid unprecedented, peaceful protests against corruption and Algeria's secretive power structure.
The military chief then pushed for elections earlier this month, won by a former prime minister considered close to Gaid Salah, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Protesters later turned against Gaid Salah, demanding his departure and a wholesale makeover of Algeria's political structure. Students held their regular weekly protests Tuesday after his death, despite the three days of official mourning declared by Algeria's leadership.
A man gives the military salute during the funeral of late Algerian military chief Gaid Saleh in Algiers, Algeria, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019. Algeria is holding an elaborate military funeral for the general who was the de facto ruler of the gas-rich country amid political turmoil throughout this year. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, Algerian military chief Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah attends president Abdelmajid Tebboune's inauguration ceremony in the presidential palace, in Algiers. Algeria's powerful military chief died unexpectedly Monday, according to government media reports, leaving his country gripped by political uncertainty after 10 months of pro-democracy protests. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2005 file photo, Algerian National Army Chief of Staff, General Ahmed Gaid Salah, right, gestures as he speaks with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Hassi Bahbah, Algeria. Algerian state media says the country's powerful military chief Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah has died. He was 79 or 80 years old. Algerian government radio says he died Monday morning in the military hospital of Algiers after a heart attack. (AP Photo/Ouahab Hebbat, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, Algerian Gen. Said Chengriha attends president Abdelmajid Tebboune's inauguration ceremony in the presidential palace, in Algiers. Algeria's powerful military chief Gaid Salah died unexpectedly Monday, according to government media reports, leaving his country gripped by political uncertainty after 10 months of pro-democracy protests. Gaid Salah is being replaced on a temporary basis by another high-ranking general, Said Chengriha. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum, File)
The Associated Press
People gather during the funeral Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, in Algiers, Algeria, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019. Algeria is holding an elaborate military funeral for the general who was the de facto ruler of the gas-rich country amid political turmoil throughout this year. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou)
The Associated Press
People gather during the funeral Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, in Algiers, Algeria, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019. Algeria is holding an elaborate military funeral for the general who was the de facto ruler of the gas-rich country amid political turmoil throughout this year. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou)
The Associated Press
People gather during the funeral Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, in Algiers, Algeria, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019. Algeria is holding an elaborate military funeral for the general who was the de facto ruler of the gas-rich country amid political turmoil throughout this year. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou)
The Associated Press
In this photo taken on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, students take to the streets in the capital Algiers to protest against the government, in Algeria. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou)
The Associated Press
People gather during the funeral Gen. Ahmed Gaid Salah, in Algiers, Algeria, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019. Algeria is holding an elaborate military funeral for the general who was the de facto ruler of the gas-rich country amid political turmoil throughout this year. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou)
The Associated Press
People attend the funeral of late Algerian military chief Gaid Saleh in Algiers, Algeria, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019. Banner in Arabic reads "May God have his mercy on you, hero". Algeria is holding an elaborate military funeral for the general who was the de facto ruler of the gas-rich country amid political turmoil throughout this year. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum)
The Associated Press