AL JAZEERA ENGLISH: Pro-democracy demonstrators, inspired by the Egyptian revolution, ignore official ban and march in the capital Algiers.
Algerian security forces and pro-democracy protesters are clashing, as demonstrations got underway in the capital Algiers on Saturday.
At least 2,000 protestors were able to overcome a security cordon enforced around the capital's May First Square, joining other demonstrators calling for reform.
Earlier, thousands of police in riot gear were in position to stop the demonstrations that could mimic the uprising which forced out Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Security forces have closed all entrances to the capital and already arrested hundreds of protesters, sources told Al Jazeera.
At the scene of the protests, blogger and activist, Elias Filali, said human right's activists and syndicate members were among those arrested.
“I’m right in the middle of the march,” he told Al Jazeera. “People are being arrested and are heavily guarded by the police.”
Officials banned Saturday's opposition march, but protesters were determined to see it through. >>> Al Jazeera and agencies | Saturday, February 12, 2011
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LE FIGARO: Echauffourées à Alger lors de la marche de l'opposition : Des heurts entre forces de l'ordre et manifestants ont éclaté samedi place du 1er Mai, lieu de rendez-vous de la marche initiée par l'opposition mais interdite par les autorités. Des centaines de personnes, dont des députés, ont été interpellées. >>> Par lefigaro.fr | Samedi 12 Février 2011
LE POINT: Des milliers de policiers dans Alger en prévision de la marche : En Algérie, l'opposition appelle à manifester "pour changer le système" samedi à 11 heures du matin. >>> Source AFP | Samedi 12 Février 2011
NZZ ONLINE: Das Aufbegehren in der arabischen Welt geht weiter: Protest in Algier niedergeknüppelt - Demonstrationen in Jemen >>> sda/afp/dpa | Samstag 12 Februar 2011
