ALGERIA: Riot police block off the centre of Algiers to separate pro- and anti-government demonstrators

Record ID: 573506

  • Title: ALGERIA: Riot police block off the centre of Algiers to separate pro- and anti-government demonstrators
  • Date: 13th February 2011
  • Summary: POLICE PUSHING DEMONSTRATORS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED PRO-BOUTEFLIKA DEMONSTRATOR, SAYING: "This one [Said Saadi] is sent by France, he is not ours, we love Bouteflika, we, the real men, we love Bouteflika, Bouteflika is a man, he pays our debt, he saves some money in the treasury, these guys want to waste the money, we don't want the money, we have money." MORE OF PRO-BOUTEFLIKA DEMONSTRATORS SINGING SLOGANS AGAINST THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATORS DEMONSTRATORS BURNING A SIGN MORE OF CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN PRO- AND ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATORS AND THE POLICE TRYING TO SEPARATE THEM
  • Embargoed: 28th February 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Algeria, Algeria
  • Country: Algeria
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA6H8FHY1ZM6TRFPP8V239Z63RU
  • Story Text: Thousands of police in riot gear blocked off the centre of Algeria's capital on Saturday (February 12) and stopped government opponents from staging a protest march that sought to emulate Egypt's popular revolt.
    Small groups of demonstrators angry at President Abdelaziz Bouteflika gathered in May 1 Square in the centre of Algiers shouting "Bouteflika out!". They waved newspaper front pages reporting Friday's (February 11) overthrow of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak.
    But riot police hemmed them in, stopping them from carrying out a plan to march through the city. Other protesters trying to reach the square found their way blocked and at least one of the protest organisers was arrested.
    The anti-government demonstrators came up against pro-government supporters in the square and had to be separated by riot police.
    Many anti-government demonstrators want Said Saadi, the leader of the 'Rally For Culture And Democracy' (RCD) political party in power but pro-Bouteflika supporters rubbished the idea, saying Bouteflika worked for the good of the country.
    "Bouteflika is a man, the man of the country, long live Bouteflika - we will die for him, long live Bouteflika, long live Bouteflika. Said Saadi go to your country, go to France, they sent you so go and live there," said one.
    "(Said Saadi) is sent by France, he is not ours, we love Bouteflika, he pays our debt, he saves some money in the treasury, these guys want to waste the money," said another.
    After about three hours, hundreds of people left the square quietly, with police opening up gaps in their cordon to let them through.
    Some 200 young men from a poor neighbourhood nearby stayed on the square. Some threw objects at police.
    Mubarak's resignation and last month's overthrow of Tunisia's leader have electrified the Arab world and led many to ask which state could be next in a region where an explosive mix of authoritarian rule and popular anger is the norm.
    Widespread unrest in Algeria could have implications for the world economy because it is a major oil and gas exporter. But many analysts say a revolt is unlikely because the government can use its energy wealth to resolve most grievances.
    Officials had banned Saturday's protest, citing public order concerns. A massive police mobilisation, which started on Friday afternoon, appeared to have stifled it.
    The protest was not backed by the main trade unions or the biggest opposition parties.
    Nearly all members of Algeria's radical Islamist groups, which were banned in the 1990s but still have grassroots influence, stayed away.
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