Algerian Opposition Group ‘Tests’ Govt. by Scheduling Demonstrations

Protesters chant slogans in front of a policeman during a demonstration in Algeria. (Reuters)
Protesters chant slogans in front of a policeman during a demonstration in Algeria. (Reuters)
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Algerian Opposition Group ‘Tests’ Govt. by Scheduling Demonstrations

Protesters chant slogans in front of a policeman during a demonstration in Algeria. (Reuters)
Protesters chant slogans in front of a policeman during a demonstration in Algeria. (Reuters)

Algerian opposition political figures, lawyers and journalists announced that they will hold on Saturday demonstrations in the city of Constantine, 500 kilometers east of the capital, testing the government which has banned marches in the capital for “security reasons.”

Protests have not been barred in other regions.

Opposition organization Muwatana told local media that it was “well-prepared” for the protest in central Constantine.

Activists said that they did not file for a permit from Constantine authorities, overlooking government regulations that require an official request to hold a public gathering or rally whether on the street or in a closed hall.

Observers believe that the government will resort to legal action against the organizers, who deemed regulations useless under the assumption that the government will reject the application anyway.

Former Prime Minister Ahmed Benbitour, former Treasury Minister Ali Benouari, former Muwatana head and judge Zubaida Assoul and renowned journalist Saad Bouakba, known for his anti-government writings, participated in organizing Saturday’s demonstration.

Assoul told Asharq Al-Awsat that the protest march will kick off from Constantine’s stadium to Al-Abrash Square in the heart of the city.

She explained that the initiative is “protected by the power of the Constitution,” citing Article 49 that stipulates the right to hold peaceful demonstrations by citizens.

Saturday's demonstration will not be attended by prominent opposition figures, most notably former Prime Minister Ali Benflis and former presidential candidate Louisa Hanoune. The absentees said that they would prefer to “express their positions in different ways,” meaning they want to avoid clashes with security forces in the streets.

The government allows protests in the capital when organized by fans of football clubs, while banning them for political parties, said Muwatana.

Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia recently declared that authorities will not object to demonstrations should the opposition ensure that they would not spiral into violence, indirectly referring to the June 14, 2001 bloody demonstrations.

The demonstrations by berber activists left at least 100 people dead and thousands wounded when the rallies turned violent. The protests were prompted when a berber student died in police custody.



Starmer Says Recognizing Palestinian State Must Be Part of Wider Peace Plan, E3 Urges End to Gaza War

People wave a giant Palestinian flag during a demonstration to support the population of Gaza called by various Albanian social organizations at Skanderbeg square in Tirana, on July 23, 2025. (AFP)
People wave a giant Palestinian flag during a demonstration to support the population of Gaza called by various Albanian social organizations at Skanderbeg square in Tirana, on July 23, 2025. (AFP)
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Starmer Says Recognizing Palestinian State Must Be Part of Wider Peace Plan, E3 Urges End to Gaza War

People wave a giant Palestinian flag during a demonstration to support the population of Gaza called by various Albanian social organizations at Skanderbeg square in Tirana, on July 23, 2025. (AFP)
People wave a giant Palestinian flag during a demonstration to support the population of Gaza called by various Albanian social organizations at Skanderbeg square in Tirana, on July 23, 2025. (AFP)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that recognizing Palestinian statehood should be part of a wider plan for lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis,

After France said on Thursday it would recognize Palestine, Starmer said he was working with allies on the steps that were needed for peace in the conflict in Gaza.

"Recognition of a Palestinian state has to be one of those steps. I am unequivocal about that. But it must be part of a wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis," he said in a statement after speaking with the leaders of France and Germany.

The leaders of the so-called E3 group of France, Britain and Germany called on Friday for an end to the war in Gaza through an immediate ceasefire and said they were committed to supporting diplomatic efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt.

"The humanitarian catastrophe that we are witnessing in Gaza must end now...We firmly oppose all efforts to impose Israeli sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territories," the leaders of the three European countries said in a joint statement.