12 February 2011
Erbil - According to BBC reports, riot police are out in force on the streets of the Algerian capital this morning as protesters gather for and anti-government rally.
Opposition and rights groups say they intend to go ahead with the protests despite a government ban.
The Algerian police prevented crowds form gathering on Friday to celebrate the ousting of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
The authorities are said to be keen to avert any such uprisings in Algeria where demonstrations about rising food prices and unemployment figures have taken place in recent weeks.
Speaking to Reuters, a spokesman for the opposition party Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) Mohsen Belabes said, "We are ready for the march......It's going to be a great day for democracy ion Algeria".
Security forces were out on the streets of Algiers this morning in large numbers and military-style armored vehicles parked at junctions around the center of the city.
Convoys of police vans and buses were reportedly lined up on May 1 Square where the rally is due to start, and close to the Mustapha hospital.
A state of emergency imposed since 1992 in Algeria outlaws public demonstrations.
Last week the Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said the state of emergency would be lifted in the "very near future", allowing demonstrations anywhere apart from the country's capital.
Erbil - According to BBC reports, riot police are out in force on the streets of the Algerian capital this morning as protesters gather for and anti-government rally.
Opposition and rights groups say they intend to go ahead with the protests despite a government ban.
The Algerian police prevented crowds form gathering on Friday to celebrate the ousting of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
The authorities are said to be keen to avert any such uprisings in Algeria where demonstrations about rising food prices and unemployment figures have taken place in recent weeks.
Speaking to Reuters, a spokesman for the opposition party Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) Mohsen Belabes said, "We are ready for the march......It's going to be a great day for democracy ion Algeria".
Security forces were out on the streets of Algiers this morning in large numbers and military-style armored vehicles parked at junctions around the center of the city.
Convoys of police vans and buses were reportedly lined up on May 1 Square where the rally is due to start, and close to the Mustapha hospital.
A state of emergency imposed since 1992 in Algeria outlaws public demonstrations.
Last week the Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said the state of emergency would be lifted in the "very near future", allowing demonstrations anywhere apart from the country's capital.
© AK News 2011
