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Algeria
lifts emergency rule as protests rage
Tuesday February 15, 2011 08:38:59 AM,
IANS
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Algiers: As
anti-regime protests gain momentum in Algeria, the government
Monday rushed to announce that it would end the state of emergency
enforced since 1992 in the country, amid fears that Algeria may
sink into a similar unrest that ousted Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak.
Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci said the government "within days"
plans to end its state of emergency. The announcement comes amid
calls for intensifying protests against the government.
"In the coming days, we will talk about it as if it (emergency)
was a thing of the past," the Al-Jazeera news quoted Medelci as
saying.
Following popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, Algerian
protesters have increased pressure on the government to lift the
emergency rule.
On Sunday, hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police in the
eastern Annaba city. Several people were injured.
The day before, thousands of protesters defied a police ban and
protested in the capital Algiers.
Widespread discontent over rising unemployment, poor living
conditions and high food prices sparked widespread unrest in the
country since January.
Local media reported that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is
planning major changes in his government to relieve the pressures
on his administration.
Meanwhile, opposition groups have announced they would hold
demonstrations in Algiers every Saturday, Al-Jazeera reported.
"We will continue to march until the regime steps down. Each
Saturday we will maintain the pressure," Mohsen Belabes, a
spokesman for the RCD party, said.
Following the successful revolts in Egypt and Tunisia, several
countries in the Arab world felt the ripples.
Tunisia's long-time President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was forced
to quit amid a popular uprising, dubbed the Jasmine Revolution.
Jordan's King Abdullah replaced his prime minister after protests,
while in Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh told opponents he
would not seek a new term.
The Bahrain government has also made several concessions in recent
weeks, including promising higher social spending. There have also
been calls for anti-government protests in Iran.
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