New Algerian protests planned for next Saturday

Algerian civil society groups are planning new protests against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Saturday 19 February.

AFP/Farouk Batiche

On Saturday police cracked down as thousands of protesters took part in a banned march in Algiers.

Human rights groups say police briefly detained several hundred protesters at the march, but that no injuries were reported.

The Al Watan newspaper reports that at least three protesters were wounded in clashes between youths and security forces in the restive Kabilye region.

Opposition sites and social media report riots in several areas overnight.