Algeria`s constitution was on Monday set for major changes which would allow President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to stay in office as he nears the end of his second and final presidential term.

`The amendment proposed to article 74 of the constitution maintains that the duration of the presidential mandate is five years and stipulates that the president of the republic can be re-elected,` the APS news agency quoted a government statement as saying.

The president heads the cabinet and appoints all its members.

Article 74 currently states any one person may only serve two presidential terms. This requirement would be dropped if the amendment is approved, leaving open the possibility that Bouteflika could stand again in fresh elections early next year.

Bouteflika, 71, was first elected in 1999, then again in 2004. He said last week that the proposals aimed to provide `stability, efficiency and continuity` for Algeria.

There would also be changes to the prime minister`s role, who would be named by the president and would be in charge `of putting into action` the president`s policy programme.

The prime minister would be able to name one or several people to the new role of deputy prime minister if the legislation is passed.

Three major parties have already said they will support the proposal. They hold 249 of the 389 seats in Algeria`s lower house.

The governing party also enjoys a majority in the upper-house, the Senate.