ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algeria’s cabinet on Tuesday adopted an order to lift a 19-year-old state of emergency in a concession designed to dodge the tide of uprisings sweeping the Arab world, but protesters said it was not enough.

The government also approved a package of measures aimed at reducing unemployment, which is one of the biggest grievances of ordinary people in Algeria.

ALGIERS, Feb 22 (Reuters) – When reporters from Algeria’s
state news agency arrived to cover an opposition rally on Feb.
19, they were greeted with surprise.

After all, it was the first time in years the agency, long a
mouthpiece of the North African oil producer’s government, had
attended a march critical of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algerian police in riot gear on Saturday surrounded about 500 protesters trying to stage a march through the capital inspired by uprisings in other parts of the Arab world in defiance of a ban.

A Reuters reporter at the scene said a group chanting “Algeria — free and democratic!” tried to reach May 1 Square in the city center to begin the protest march but were driven two blocks away by police using batons.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – One of the founders of the Algerian state has called on President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to respond to the wave of unrest in the Arab world by replacing a system of rule he called undemocratic and out of date.

After popular revolts in Tunisia and Egypt, Algeria’s ruling elite has come under pressure to change from anti-government protesters and also from influential figures inside the energy exporter’s establishment.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – Algerian opposition groups said on Sunday they would follow up the protest they held this weekend by calling a demonstration in the capital every Saturday until the government is changed.

Several hundred protesters, inspired by revolts which overthrew entrenched leaders in Egypt and Tunisia, defied a police ban and protested in Algiers on Saturday. But thousands of riot police blocked a planned march through the city.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – Thousands of police in riot gear blocked off the center of Algeria’s capital on Saturday 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 center of Algiers shouting “Bouteflika out!.” They waved newspaper front pages reporting Friday’s overthrow of Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – Thousands of police in riot gear were in position in the center of the Algerian capital on Saturday to stop a planned demonstration from mimicking the uprising which forced out Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Officials have banned the opposition march, setting the stage for possible clashes between police and demonstrators who are demanding greater democratic freedoms, a change of government, and more jobs.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – Many Algerians believe their country needs new people at the helm to restore hope and create jobs, but change must be smooth because after years of Islamist strife in which 200,000 died they cannot face more turmoil.

Algerians have watched with fascination the revolts in Egypt and neighboring Tunisia, and opposition groups say they will defy a police ban and hold a protest march in the capital on Saturday inspired by the popular uprisings elsewhere.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – A prominent member of Algeria’s ruling elite said on Monday it was time for a shake-up of the government, a rare criticism from inside the establishment and a sign that uprisings around the Arab world are increasing pressure for change.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, seeking to stop protests in Egypt and Tunisia spreading to his energy exporting country, promised last week to create new jobs, allow more democratic freedoms, and lift a 19-year-old state of emergency.

ALGIERS (Reuters) – An Italian woman on a tourist trip to the Sahara desert in Algeria has been kidnapped by al Qaeda insurgents, Algeria’s official news agency and a government security source said on Friday.

Insurgents operating as al Qaeda’s north African wing have been active in the Sahara desert and have kidnapped several foreigners, but until now most of their activities have been in areas of the desert south of Algeria’s borders.