Millions march against Algerian president as protests enter sixth week

[TomSea]

Millions march against Algerian president as protests enter sixth week
The Christian Science Monitor
Algiers, Algeria

Algerians took to the streets by the millions for the sixth straight Friday of nationwide protests, trying to push their ailing president from power and bring down an entire political system seen as corrupt and out of touch.

Security forces used a water cannon and lobbed tear gas against a crowd that broke through a blockaded street leading to the presidential palace – the only break in what have been massive but peaceful demonstrations.

For the first time, all three state TV channels showed the protests live – a stark difference since the mass marches started on Feb. 22 and news blackouts were ordered. It also reflected the changing balance of power within the ruling class as President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, 82 and ailing after a 2013 stroke, loses key supporters.

Read more at: https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2019/0329/Millions-march-against-Algerian-president-as-protests-enter-sixth-week