Algeria police try to stifle Egypt-inspired protest

ALGIERS, (Reuters) – Thousands of police in riot gear  were in position in the centre of the Algerian capital today 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.
Mubarak’s resignation on Friday, and last month’s overthrow  of Tunisia’s leader, have electrified the Arab world and led  many to ask which country could be next in a region where a  flammable mix of authoritarian rule and popular anger are the  norm.
Widespread unrest in Algeria could have implications for the  world economy because it is a major oil and gas exporter, but  many analysts say an Egypt-style revolt is unlikely because the  government can use its energy wealth to placate most grievances.
“We are ready for the march,” said Mohsen Belabes, a  spokesman for the small RCD opposition party which is one of the  organisers of the protest. “It’s going to be a great day for  democracy in Algeria.”
A heavy police presence is routine in Algeria to counter the  threat of attacks by al Qaeda insurgents, but many times the  usual numbers were already in place hours before the start of  the protest at 11:00 a.m. (1000 GMT).
At May 1 Square, the starting point for the planned march  not far from the city’s Mediterranean port, at least 15 police  vans, jeeps and buses were lined up. A similar number were in a  nearby side-street outside the city’s Mustapha hospital.
At several road junctions, the police had parked small  military-style armoured vehicles which are rarely seen in the  city. Police standing outside a fuel station about 2 km (1.2  miles) from the square were wearing anti-riot body armour.
Other Arab countries have also felt the ripples from the  revolts in Egypt and Tunisia. Jordan’s King Abdullah replaced  his prime minister after protests and in Yemen, President Ali  Abdullah Saleh promised opponents he would not seek a new term.
Protest organisers in Algeria — who say they draw some of  their inspiration from events in Egypt and Tunisia — say police  may turn people away before they can reach the march in the  capital, or parallel protests planned for other cities.
“Algerians must be allowed to express themselves freely and  hold peaceful protests in Algiers and elsewhere,” rights group  Amnesty International said in a statement.
“We urge the Algerian authorities not to respond to these  demands by using excessive force.”
The government says it refused permission for the rally for  public order reasons, not because it is trying to stifle  dissent. It says it is working hard to create jobs, build new  homes and improve public services.
In an attempt to head of anti-government unrest, the  authorities have cut prices for sugar and cooking oil, bought  huge quantities of grain to ensure bread supplies and promised  to lift a 19-year-old state of emergency.
Today’s protest is not backed by Algeria’s main trade  unions, its biggest opposition parties or the radical Islamist  groups which were banned in the early 1990s but still retain  grassroots influence.
The march “is likely to be violent, but unlikely to  destabilize the regime,” said Eurasia Group, a political risk  consultancy.