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Thousands of Algerians Turn Out for 37th Consecutive Friday Protest

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO - Thousands of people turned out Friday in the center of the
   Algerian capital, Algiers, as well as other towns and cities, for the
   37th consecutive weekly protest against the government, according to
   Arab media reports.

   Many protesters called for the postponement of presidential elections,
   set to take place December 12. The crowds appeared to be larger than
   usual, probably because Friday marked the 65th anniversary of the
   breakout of the Algerian revolution against then-colonial power France.

   Arab news channels showed live video of thousands of demonstrators
   waving Algerian flags and chanting in front of Algiers' iconic main
   post office building, as dozens of government security forces ringed
   off the area.

   It was the largest anti-government demonstration in weeks, and some
   observers estimated that more 1 million people may have turned out
   nationwide.

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