Hundreds of protesters marched through central Algiers today to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's candidacy for a fifth term in the April 18 election.
The demonstration began immediately after Friday prayers from several mosques towards the square of May first in the center of Algiers, and then marched hundreds to the central post yard across the street Hasiba Ben Bouali.
The police officers deployed did not object to the march.
"Bouteflika is not happy," the demonstrators chanted, referring to his brother, Bouteflika, who is said to be a successor to the president. As well as "No to the Fifth Promise", "Bouteflika left" and "Ouyahia to go" as well as anti-government songs, usually echoed by fans in stadiums.
The demonstrators, mostly young people, were divided into small groups, one of which was stopped near the central post yard by police officers who asked them to change course, according to the same source.
Large numbers of police have been deployed in the main squares of Algiers and the main crossroads, such as the central post office, the Mayi square and the Martyrs' Square, while a police helicopter is hovering.
Bloggers via social networking sites have posted invitations to demonstrate after Friday prayers.
Bloggers circulated pictures of several demonstrators in different parts of the country, most notably in Annaba, 400 kilometers east of Algeria.
The Algerian press also spoke of demonstrations in varying numbers in Oran, Tartar and Glizan in the west of the country and in the east in the east.
The Algerian authorities have warned in recent days of "chaos publishers".