Egypt revolt inspires Algeria:

Opposition vows mass rallies

ALGERIA: Algeria’s main Opposition parties, inspired by historic revolution in Egypt, plan to hold more mass pro-democracy rallies in the capital in the coming days.

The decision was made during a meeting attended by Opposition groups, civil society movements and unofficial unions.

The National Co-ordination for Change and Democracy (CNCD), Algeria’s main political alliance, says it will stage an unprecedented march on February 19. The announcement comes one day after Algerian security forces clashed with thousands of pro-democracy protesters and arrested scores of Opposition supporters in Algeria’s capital.

Clashes erupted after police prevented thousands of protesters from heading to Martyrs’ Square. The rally called for political reforms and a change of Government. Algeria’s Opposition has praised the demonstrations in Algiers, saying the activists had overcome the fear of government repression.

The developments also come after protests in the Kabylie region left eight dead and hundreds of others wounded.

The Algerian Government has beefed up security in the Capital to stamp out any attempt to stage an Egypt-style revolution. Protesters are demanding the Government lift the 20-year state of emergency and release prisoners arrested during last month’s riots. The Government has banned protests in the Capital Algiers since 2001. Press TV