Five Algerians were wounded and six others were arrested Saturday morning in Algiers, as the police tried to prevent an attempt to demonstrate over skyrocketing food prices.
The protest, organized by the Rally for Culture and Democracy ( RCD), an Algerian opposition party, was scheduled to begin Saturday at 11:00 local time (1000 GMT), but it was prevented by police outside the headquarters of the RCD party in downtown Algiers.
RCD President Said Sadi, dozens of activists and sympathizers were blocked at party headquarters RCD Didouche Mourad Street in central Algiers, surrounded by hundreds of riot police. The government has warned Algerians against joining the demonstration as there is a ban on marches and demonstrations in the capital.
"Algerians should be vigilant and exercise wisdom and not respond to provocation that aims to disturb calm," it said in a statement on Friday.
Earlier this month, riots and protests, lasted for five days, have broke out across Algeria against skyrocketing food prices and unemployment in the oil-rich North African country.
Four men have been killed and 800, including 736 policemen, have been wounded in the protests.
The government has embarked on a host of measures amid to contain the protests, including reducing the prices of basic necessities such as oil and sugar.