The protesters for democracy have already taken down two dictators in Tunisia and Egypt but the Algerian authorities have been successful so far in holding down protests that have started soon after the Tunisian revolts in early January 2011.
Thousands of Algerians defied a government ban on protests and a massive deployment of riot police to march in the capital Saturday, demanding democratic reforms a day after similar protests toppled Egypt’s authoritarian leader.Heavily armed police tried to seal off Algiers, blocking streets, lining up along the march route and setting up barricades outside the city to try to stop busloads of demonstrators from reaching the capital.
But despite the heavy security, thousands flooded into downtown Algiers, clashing with police who outnumbered them at least three-to-one. A human rights activist said more than 400 people were arrested.The US is in a delicate position because it advocates democratic reform, but wants stability in Yemen because it is seen as a key ally in its fight against Islamic militants.Hundreds of protesters had tried to reach the Egyptian embassy in Sana’a, Yemen’s capital yesterday, but security forces pushed them back.
Buses ferried ruling party members, equipped with tents, food and water, to the city’s main square to help prevent attempts by protesters to gather there.There were about 5,000 security agents and government supporters in the Sana’a square named Tahrir, or Liberation. Egypt’s protesters built an encampment at a square of the same name in Cairo, and it became a rallying point for their movement.Witnesses said police, including plainclothes agents, drove several thousand protesters away from Sanaa’s main square on Friday night. The demonstrators tore up pictures of Saleh and shouted slogans demanding his immediate resignation.Even Syria, which has been ruled with an iron grip for more than 40 years by the Baath party and dominated by the Assad family, is facing widespread demonstrations.
Both Syria and Algeria have fought hard to stifle Islamic movements which threatened the regime in the past. And it should not be be assumed that a majority of demonstrators anywhere in the region want to see is the replacement of autocracy with Sharia law.Given the huge numbers needed to mobilise in Egypt to depose Mr Mubarak, and the wide range of opinion on the street, western fears that the Muslim Brotherhood could take over are exaggerated, most informed commentators would agree.
Thousands of Algerians defied a government ban on protests and a massive deployment of riot police to march in the capital Saturday, demanding democratic reforms a day after similar protests toppled Egypt’s authoritarian leader.Heavily armed police tried to seal off Algiers, blocking streets, lining up along the march route and setting up barricades outside the city to try to stop busloads of demonstrators from reaching the capital.
But despite the heavy security, thousands flooded into downtown Algiers, clashing with police who outnumbered them at least three-to-one. A human rights activist said more than 400 people were arrested.The US is in a delicate position because it advocates democratic reform, but wants stability in Yemen because it is seen as a key ally in its fight against Islamic militants.Hundreds of protesters had tried to reach the Egyptian embassy in Sana’a, Yemen’s capital yesterday, but security forces pushed them back.
Buses ferried ruling party members, equipped with tents, food and water, to the city’s main square to help prevent attempts by protesters to gather there.There were about 5,000 security agents and government supporters in the Sana’a square named Tahrir, or Liberation. Egypt’s protesters built an encampment at a square of the same name in Cairo, and it became a rallying point for their movement.Witnesses said police, including plainclothes agents, drove several thousand protesters away from Sanaa’s main square on Friday night. The demonstrators tore up pictures of Saleh and shouted slogans demanding his immediate resignation.Even Syria, which has been ruled with an iron grip for more than 40 years by the Baath party and dominated by the Assad family, is facing widespread demonstrations.Both Syria and Algeria have fought hard to stifle Islamic movements which threatened the regime in the past. And it should not be be assumed that a majority of demonstrators anywhere in the region want to see is the replacement of autocracy with Sharia law.Given the huge numbers needed to mobilise in Egypt to depose Mr Mubarak, and the wide range of opinion on the street, western fears that the Muslim Brotherhood could take over are exaggerated, most informed commentators would agree.
Videos of thousands of protesters
