President Bouteflika, as Minister of Defence, nominated new commanders for military regions in August 2004. (BICC) In 2010 there were a further series of changes. Président Bouteflika changed the commanders of three military regions, according to the presidential décrees published Wednesday 25 August in the Algerian "Journal officiel". Général Mohand-Ameziane Si-Mohand was nominated to head the 3rd Military Region, le général Hassen Alaimia prend les commandes de la 4th Military Region et la 5e est désormais dirigée par le général Saïd Ziad. These nominations took effect from 1 August, selon les mêmes décrets. President Bouteflika also named new deputy commanders in these military regions.