Ministers to meet over police protests in Algeria

Ministers will hold a meeting with security officials on Sunday to examine requests submitted by protesting policemen as 12 demands out of 19 were accepted.

The meeting comes as Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal met with the protesters on Wednesday and promised them to satisfy 12 of their demands.

Angry policemen asked for sufficient guarantees to implement their demands as they have taken to the street for the first time since Algeria’s independence.

Earlier on Monday, a number of policemen were wounded in clashes between residents in the province of Ghardaia (south of Algeria). Following this, a large number of their colleagues protested calling for the dismissal of the national police chief and the creation of a union.

The 19 requests include the creation of a union, having the right of obtaining social houses, pay raise and extending prerogatives.