Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has resigned after weeks of massive street protests.
Bouteflika, who has been in power for 20 years, had already dropped plans to seek a fifth term as opposition to his rule grew.
The powerful Algerian army had called for the 82-year-old to be declared incapable of carrying out his duties.
Protesters have vowed to continue piling on pressure until the entire government is ousted.
There were huge celebrations in the city of Algiers, with people shouting, waving the national flag and honking their car horns all night.
The protesters do not only want Bouteflika to go, but the whole system, in particular the government which was only appointed last weekend.
Bouteflika, who has been ill since he suffered a stroke six years ago, has avoided public events ever since.
However, he made a rare appearance on state TV to relinquish power hours after military chief Lt Gen Ahmed Gaed Salah called on him to leave office immediately.
According to the constitution, the Senate speaker should take over as interim head of state until fresh elections are held.