Algerians protest over price hikes

Thu Jan 6, 2011

Algerians protesting over cost of living hikes have clashed with riot police in cities and towns across the country while chanting slogans.

The protesters chanted anti-government slogans denouncing increasing prices on Wednesday. They blamed Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika for not doing enough to curb economic problems.

Protesters also expressed anger over lack of water as well as power outages.

In the capital city of Algiers, youths threw stones at riot police and set afire garbage bins and tires in roads on Wednesday as police fired back with tear gas.

A number of protesters and police were injured during the clashes.

At the beginning of the year, citizens in the North African country started to protest nationwide when the government announced price increases for basic commodities such as oil and sugar.

Further protests are anticipated as lack of sufficient flour across the country is expected to lead to a shortage of bread, a basic food staple.

Several days ago, 17 families in Algerian capital Algiers threatened to commit mass suicide if officials did not act on their demands concerning fair provision of residential units.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158903.html.