Thousands call for Algeria's president to step down in largest protests since Arab Spring

Tens of thousands of people incities across Algeria called on President Abdelaziz Bouteflikato leave office on Friday in the biggest anti-governmentdemonstrations there since the Arab Spring eight years ago.

The protests were mostly peaceful but as crowds receded bylate afternoon, scuffles broke out in the capital Algiersbetween police and protesters near the presidential palace,witnesses said.

One person died during a stampede, an informed source said.Local media said it was a 60-year old man who had collapsed butno more details were immediately available.

Several protesters and policemen were wounded during clashesin Algiers, state television said, without giving details.

'20 years are enough'

Earlier a sea of people, young and old, had thronged thestreets after Friday prayers, chanting "Bye, bye Bouteflika!"and "Peaceful! Peaceful!." Many were draped in the Algerian flagand carried placards and banners.

The 81-year-old suffered a stroke in 2013 and has been seenin public only a few times since. His re-election bid stokedresentment among Algerians who believe he is not fit to lead.

This is a celebration, not a protest.We are celebratingAlgeria's rebirth.AliSelmi

"Look at the Algerian youth, all they are demanding is avalid president who can talk to the people," said Hamdane Salim,a 45-year-old public sector worker. "Twenty years are enough,"said Khadidja, a woman accompanied by her husband and children.

Among the crowd was Djamila Bouhired, 83, a heroine of the1954-1962 independence war against France, who told reporters:"I'm happy to be here."

'Our battle will continue'

After hours of marching, many protesters began walking homebut some stayed on, dancing and singing.

Mohammed Saadi, another young man, said: "Our battle willcontinue until we win."

Later Reuters TV footage showed police in riot gear andprotesters facing off on a street near the presidential palaceswathed in tear gas. Witnesses said clashes resulted in injurieson both sides.

Large crowds also gathered in the cities of Oran,Constantine, Setif, Tizi Ouzou and Bouira, residents and localmedia said.

Bouteflika, who will turn 82 on Saturday, has not directlyaddressed the protests. The authorities said he wouldtravel to Geneva for unspecified medical checks, although therewas no official confirmation he had travelled.

Local television stations reported the protests but therewas no live coverage. State television and the official newsagency APS provided rare coverage of the march, which theysaid had had been largely peaceful.

Echoes of 2011

On Tuesday, state mediastarted covering the dissentafter journalist employees pressured management.

Many Algerians for years avoided politics in public, fearingtrouble from the omnipresent security services or disillusionedas the country has been run by the same group of veterans sincetheindependence war.

"People want to overthrow the regime," some chanted, using aslogan from the 2011 Arab Springturmoil which toppled leadersin Egypt, Libya and Tunisia.

Bouteflika has ruled since 1999 and stamped out adecade-long Islamist insurgency early in his rule. ManyAlgerians have long tolerated a political system with littlespace for dissent as a pricefor peace and stability.But the new protest waves appears to have broken the longtaboo on public discussion of politics.

According to Bouteflika's opponents, there is no evidence he is fit to lead the country, and it is being ruled inhis name by advisers. Authorities say he retains a firm grip onpublic affairs despite the rarity of his appearances.

A weak and divided opposition faces high hurdles in mountingan electoral challenge. Since the long-ruling FLN party againpicked Bouteflika as its presidential candidate, severalparties, trade unions and business groups have endorsed him.

Lower oil prices in recent years have damaged Algeria'seconomy, rekindling discontent and making it more difficult tobuy off dissent, as in 2011, when authorities expanded a welfarestate.