Algerians defy demonstration ban

ALGIERS, Algeria, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The Algerian government deployed some 35,000 police and security personnel Saturday to rein in a banned pro-democracy rally in Algiers, local media said.

More than 60 people were arrested early Saturday, France 24 reported, although there were no reports on the number of people protesting the rule of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The former French colony has been in a state of emergency which bans public demonstrations since 1992. In light of the unrest in fellow Muslim nations like Egypt, Yemen and bordering Tunisia, Bouteflika said earlier this month the state of emergency would be lifted, but didn't give a timeline, the BBC said.

The rally was organized by human rights activists, unions and political parties, the reports said.

The BBC said government supporters were also congregating, but there was no report of violence between the factions.

Bouteflika was elected in 1999 in a vote that saw all other candidates resign in advance based on allegations of voting fraud. He was re-elected in 2004.

As in Tunisia, which sparked the African countries' rebellions, Algerians are protesting unemployment, inflation and alleged government corruption, the reports said.