Algeria Protests
1/21/11
By AOMAR OUALI
ALGIERS, Algeria — Helmeted riot police armed with batons and shields on Saturday clashed with rock- and chair-throwing protesters who tried to march in defiance of Algeria's ban on public gatherings.

At least 19 people were injured, the government said, but an opposition party official put the figure at more than 40.

Algeria has been among the many North African and Middle Eastern countries hit by shows of resistance against their autocratic leaders after a young Tunisian man set himself on fire last month, triggering a wave of protests that led Tunisia's longtime strongman to flee the country.

Protest organizers at the democratic opposition party RCD draped a Tunisian flag next to the Algerian flag on a balcony of party headquarters where the march was to begin in the capital, Algiers. (cont...)


Albanian Protests
International Community Expresses Concern Over Deadly Protests in Albania
--VOA--
Stefan Bos
The United States and the European Union are among those appealing for calm in Albania, after at least three people were killed and dozens were injured in anti-government protests in the capital Tirana. Albania's Prime Minister Sali Berisha says he will not allow a similar overthrow of his government as in Tunisia, but the opposition has vowed more demonstrations.

The Tirana diplomatic missions of the European Union, United States and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe say in a joint statement that they deeply regret the casualties in Friday's anti-government protests. (cont...)

Anti and Pro-Government Protests in Yemen
Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 at 6:20 pm
--VOA--
Hundreds of protesters in Yemen have called for an end to the decades-old rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Students and other protesters gathered inside of Sana'a University Saturday where they chanted anti-government slogans.

The demonstrators were apparently inspired by the recent wave of protests in Tunisia that led to this month's ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali earlier this month.

The French News Agency (AFP) says some Yemeni students carried a banner that read “learn from the Jasmine Revolution,” a reference to the Tunisian uprising. The news agency says other demonstrators rallied in support of the president, Saturday.