The World - News from Sept. 10, 1989

Algerian President Chadli Bendjedid fired Prime Minister Kasdi Merbah, but Merbah refused to step down, declaring the move unconstitutional. Merbah, who has been in office 10 months, announced his decision hours after Bendjedid dismissed him and asked a top aide, Mouloud Hamrouche, to assume the post and form a new Cabinet. Merbah had been charged with implementing sweeping reforms designed to transform Algeria from a one-party socialist state into a multi-party democracy. A political source said Bendjedid was frustrated at the slow pace of the implementation of political and economic reforms launched after rioting swept the country last October.