ALGIERS, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Monday was rushed to Switzerland's Geneva for "periodic medical checks," the official APS news agency quoted a statement of the President Office.

In April 2013, Bouteflika, 81 years old, suffered cerebral vascular accident, which reduced his mobility and his presidential activity as he makes rare public appearances.

Since then, the health condition of the president has been subject to controversy, as several opposition parties and national personalities sent him a letter on May 26 to request him to retire.

Yet, the ruling parties and other pro-regime parties highlight the socio-economic achievements of Bouteflika since he came to power in 1999, as they urged him to run for fifth term during the presidential elections of 2019.

Re-elected in 2014 for a fourth term until 2019, Bouteflika is likely to accept to run for a fifth term as long as the constitution allows him to do so, according to observers.