Algeria set for crisis talks

January 9, 2011 - 0:0

Government officials to hold meeting after one protester dies in the latest violence over rising prices.

Algerian government officials are set to meet to finds ways to halt a rise in the costs of basic food items that sparked protests in the capital and other towns this week.
An inter-ministerial council will in particular look at laws related to competition and commercial practice, and the definition of profit margins, Mustapha Benbada, the country's commerce minister, said on Saturday.
Ministry officials and producers were also due to meet to make input into new regulations on profits, Benbada said.
At least one person was reported dead after clashes between protesters and police turned violent.
The El Khabar newspaper, citing local sources, said that one young man had been killed in clashes on Friday in the city of Msila, about 250km southeast of the capital.
Azzedine Labz died instantly, hit by a bullet after the intervention of security forces who tried to prevent protesters ransack buildings public in the town of Ain El Hadjel, the paper reported.
Shots fired
Security forces tried to prevent protestors from entering the headquarters of Ain El Hadjel post office and the municipal council, but the protesters challenged them and broke into both offices.
Young protesters pelted police with stones and blocked access to the area. As a result, police fired and shot dead Labz, while three others were transferred to a clinic in the same municipality. (Source: al jazeera.net) Photo: At least one person has been reported dead after clashes between police and protesters turned violent
[Reuters]