The six-member panel which was set to coordinate Algeria’s national dialogue is suffering a rift following the withdrawal of unionist Abdulwahab bin Jalloul after harsh criticism from protesters. Bin Jalloul was under intense pressure from his relatives and colleagues in the education sector, who accused him of engaging in a scheme aimed at circumventing the movement. Jalloul is a leader at the Islamist El-Binaa National Movement which supports interim President Abdelkader Ben Saleh’s attempts for the dialogue. Constitutional law expert Fatihah Ben Abbo told media that Ben Saleh had received the delegation well and informed them it was impossible to meet some of their demands because they are not within his constitutional powers. One of the demands that Ben Saleh cannot meet was the request to release those who are being pursued by the army on charges of “insulting a state body and undermining the morale of the army,” namely Lakhdar Bouregaa and 2014 presidential candidate Louisa Hanoune. On Saturday, activists broadcast a video of economic expert Smail Lalmas running in a protest in the capital, as he was chased by disgruntled protesters over the meeting with Ben Saleh. The expert asserted through a Facebook post that they only presented their demands to the authorities at the meeting. He admitted that no one asked them to do so, however, they were prompted out of fear for the future of the country. Lalmas confirmed that they did not negotiate any topic with the interim president, adding if the authority refuses to meet the demands of the movement, they will dissolve the team and withdraw from the dialogue. For his part, Head of Movement for the Society of Peace Abderrazak Makri expressed optimism about the results of the movement, 5 months after its launch. Makri said the movement established scheme for a new Algerian citizen who is concerned with the public affairs and who demands change in peaceful and civilized ways that surprised the world. Various parties, organizations and personalities that were under control have been liberated, according to Makri, adding that the position of the military establishment towards the events was great, as the leadership decided to stand with the movement and facilitate achieving its goals.