Algeria
"









"Algeria (i /ælˈdʒɪəriə/;
Arabic: الجزائر‎, al-Jazā’ir;
Berber: Dzayer), officially
the People's Democratic
Republic of Algeria (also
formally referred to as the
Democratic and Popular
Republic of Algeria),[10][11]
[12][13] is a country in
North Africa. In terms of
land area, it is the largest
country on the
Mediterranean Sea, the
largest on the African
continent[14] after Sudan,
and the eleventh..
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Algerians rally for democracy

23 January, 2011 | GulfNews
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Several injured as police break up protest seeking scrapping
of draconian law
    Algiers: Riot police
    broke up a planned
    march by hundreds
    of protesters who
    want Algeria to scrap
    a law banning public
    gatherings. At least
    13 people were
    injured, officials said.

    However, opposition
    leader Said Sadi said
    42 people were
    injured during clashes
    between police and
pro-democracy activists.

Inspired by protests in neighbouring Tunisia, organisers at
democratic opposition party RCD draped a Tunisian flag next to the
Algerian flag on a balcony of the party headquarters where the
march was to begin. Riot police ringed the exit to ensure marchers
couldn't leave the building.

"I am a prisoner in the party's headquarters," said Sadi, a former
presidential candidate who leads the Rally for Culture and
Democracy party, from a balcony window.

The official news agency said seven police officers were hurt,
including two with serious injuries. A party spokesman, Mohcine
Belabbas, said six party members were injured.

Politician hurt

The party's leader in parliament, Atmane Mazouz, was hit in the face
with a police baton. Five protesters were detained by police, only to
be released later, APS reported.

Demonstrators shouted "Boutef out!" referring to President Abdul
Aziz Bouteflika — echoing cries against Tunisian President Zine Al
Abidine Bin Ali before he fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14 amid
huge street protests in Tunisia. Protesters in countries like Algeria
have set themselves on fire in apparent attempts to copy
Mohammad Bouazizi, a 26-year-old Tunisian, who immolated
himself.

Also yesterday, a Mauritanian businessman who set himself on fire
died in Morocco, where he had been evacuated for treatment, his
family said.

Eight Algerians and five Egyptians have also immolated themselves.
Two more cases were reported in Morocco yesterday, one in
Smara, western Sahara, and the other in Mellal, in the centre of the
country.

Tunisia: police join protests

Thousands of Tunisian police, national guard, firemen and street
cleaners thronged central Tunis yesterday, distancing themselves
from deposed president Zine Al Abidine Bin Ali in the largest
demonstration for days.

The protest marks a turning point in the Tunisian uprising, throughout
which Bin Ali loyalists in the police force fired on crowds, beat
protesters with batons and used teargas.

"We came out today because we want national reconciliation," said
a policeman who identified himself as Hatem. "Many people in the
security forces were wrong... some ignorant people sullied our
reputation ... people know now."

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Policemen restrain protesters during a
demonstration in Algiers on Saturday.
Democratic opposition party RCD draped a
Tunisian flag next to the Algerian flag on a
balcony of the party headquarters where
the march was to begin.
Image Credit: EPA