Algiers, Nov 27 (IANS): Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika declared on Saturday eight days of national mourning for the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro.

"President of the Republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, on Saturday has declared eight days of national mourning as from Sunday, following the death of Cuba's former Head of State, Fidel Castro Ruz, the leader of the Cuban Revolution," APS news agency quoted the President Office as saying in a statement.

Bouteflika has also sent a message of condolence to Raul Castro Ruz, the current President of Cuba, in which he affirmed that the death of Fidel Castro is a "great loss" for the Algerian people, Xinhua news agency reported.

He stressed that Castro played a key role in the Algerian Liberation War (1954-1962) against the French occupation and provided "solidarity and support to the reconstruction of our country ruined by a devastating colonial war" after Algeria gained independence.

"I salute him as an authentic defender of the values of peace, respect and national sovereignty, and of his uncompromising struggle for the rights of people to self-determination," concludes the message.

Fidel Castro died aged 90 on Friday. He governed Cuba as Prime Minister from 1959 to 1976 and then as President from 1976 to 2008.