Algerian lawmakers pass reforms boosting parliament powers

A general view of the upper parliament chamber is pictured in Algiers, Algeria February 2, 2016. REUTERS/Ramzi Boudina

ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algerian lawmakers passed constitutional reforms on Sunday proposed by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika after the 2011 "Arab Spring" uprisings, including reinstating a two-term limit for the presidency and boosting parliamentary powers.

Government officials said the amendments fulfilled Bouteflika's promises to strengthen democracy, but opposition leaders dismissed them as superficial tweaks to a system long dominated by the ruling FLN party and the military.