ALGIERS, Algeria, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- Algerian security forces in Algiers Sunday attacked lawmakers from a splinter group of the National Liberation Front (FLN), injuring seven of them.
The legislators, representing the majority in Parliament, were attacked in the center of the capital, as they tried to organize a demonstration against President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika and a court decision suspending the activities of the ruling party.
Parliamentarians told United Press International a group representing the splinter group led by Ali Benflis met in front of the National Assembly building and began to march when police attacked them, beating many of the 100 demonstrators.
Seven people were rushed to hospital for treatment, including one who suffered a heart attack during the clash. Hospital sources said Shalabi Mohammad Sherif of the FLN was in critical condition.
Police arrested eight demonstrators, sources said, but it was not immediately clear if they were legislators or supporters of Benflis, the former prime minister whom the president fired last May.
Benflis, whose party occupies 203 of the 389-seat National Assembly, plans to run for president in the next elections against incumbent Bouteflika, also a member of the same divided party.
