Thousands demonstrate in Algiers

Thousands of people defied an official ban on demonstrations in the Algerian capital and gathered in the city centre for an pro-reform protest today, the day after weeks of mass protests in Egypt succeeded in toppling the president.

Organisers of the march estimated some 10,000 people flooded the centre of Algiers, where they clashed with riot police attempting to block off streets and disperse the crowd. Some arrests were reported.