In Pictures: Algerian election celebrations

As the polling offices closed following Algeria's presidential elections on Thursday, several hundreds of people took to the streets to celebrate President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's win - although the official results would not be released until Friday.

These photos, taken by MEE journalist Massinissa Benlakehal, were captured in Place Maurice-Audin in downtown Algiers where cars of celebrants paraded until the early hours of Friday morning, an election tradition. Overhead, Benlakehal said, a show of fireworks, paid for by the ruling National Liberation Front Party, exploded. The party also provided Bouteflika's photos, he reported.