Head of Algeria’s constitutional council Tayeb Belaiz resigned on Tuesday following mounting pressure from protesters. The 70-year-old is one of the "3B" top figures targeted by demonstrators in mass rallies which prompted the departure of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika this month. Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui and Abdelkader Bensalah -- who served as upper house speaker until being appointed interim president after Bouteflika quit -- have also faced calls to step down. "We will continue what we have started," said university student Linda, one of thousands taking part in a protest Tuesday in central Algiers. Police were massively deployed around the capitals post office building, the focal point of anti-government rallies which first erupted in February. "Free Algeria," chanted protests, who rallied outside the iconic building. Also on Tuesday, army chief General Ahmed Gaid Salah said the military was considering all options to resolve the national political crisis and warned “time is running out”, after weeks of protests. Salah’s remarks were the strongest indication yet that the military, which has said it supports a transition period after the April 2 resignation Bouteflika, is losing patience. He Salah vowed the military would not turn its guns on demonstrators, while urging them to remain patient. Soldiers have "clear and unequivocal instructions to protect civilians, especially during the (protest) marches," he said in a speech. “We have no ambition but to protect our nation.” “The army’s leadership does not take any decision that does not serve the country and the people,” said Salah, adding that some parties were not happy with the “peaceful protests”. Despite Bensalah calling a presidential election on July 4, demonstrations have continued as Algerians call for a broader overhaul of the political system. The interim president has defended his appointment, but protesters are demanding regime stalwarts be entirely excluded from any political transition. "We will continue to march until a transitional (authority) led by clean politicians is set up," medical student Mira Laifa told AFP. "The people want them all to leave," chanted the crowds, in reference to the interim authorities. Demonstrators fear that the election will not be free and fair if they are held under the same judicial framework and institutions as those of the Bouteflika regime. The interim president said his appointment was in line with constitutional rules, and pledged to hold a transparent vote. The constitutional council which Belaiz resigned from plays a key role in elections, vetting candidates and ensuring the regularity of the polls. The outgoing council chief was close to Bouteflika, who was shown handing his resignation letter to Belaiz in footage broadcast by state media last week. The ailing president had on February 10 appointed his adviser Belaiz -- who has also served as justice minister -- to head the constitutional council for the second time.