Anti-gov't protests planned in Algeria

ALGIERS, Algeria, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Opposition groups in Algeria, demanding the "establishment of genuine democracy," have called for protests Saturday in defiance of a ban on demonstrations.

Demonstrations have been forbidden in Algeria since a state of emergency was declared in 1992 when the military canceled free elections. Last week, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced he would lift the ban, but protesters dismissed his promise and want him to step down.

Fodil Boumala, a member of the umbrella organization National Coordination for Change and Democracy, said anti-government groups want to establish "genuine democracy" in Algeria, France 24 reported Friday.

"The objective is rupture, the departure of the current government and the establishment of genuine democracy," Boumala said in a telephone interview.

Bouteflika said he would lift the state of emergency after several suicide attempts that mimicked a fruit vendor's self-immolation to protest unemployment sparked demonstrations in Tunisia that led to the overthrow of the president. Bouteflika also said he would allow more freedoms and work to increase jobs.

Bouteflika's offers came after police broke up a Jan. 22 rally and prevented protesters from reaching May 1 Square in central Algiers.

Organizers of Saturday's protests dismissed the president's promises, demanding the state of emergency actually end and calling for Bouteflika to step down.

Few analysts said they believe the action Boumala seeks would come as swiftly as it did in Tunisia, the broadcaster said.

"If we compare [Algeria] with Tunisia and Egypt, it will not be Tahrir Square," said Abdelmoumen Khelil, secretary-general of the Algerian League of Human Rights, referring to the site at the center of anti-government protests in Egypt. "Given the present state of Algeria, it will take time. But people want change to happen."