Two people have been killed in the latest clashes between anti-riot police and demonstrators demanding better living conditions in southern Algeria, local media said on Saturday.
The two protesters were killed in clashes late on Friday night with anti-riot troops in Touggourt of Ouargla province, 615 km southeast of the capital Algiers, the local TSA news website reported.
Violence erupted when young protesters took to streets for the lack of subsidized housing, drinking water and jobs. More than 40 people were injured in the confrontations, while several protesters were arrested.
A security source said the two protesters died when some 700 angry youngsters attacked a police station with "Molotov cocktails" to free 14 of their arrested members.
Algerian Interior Minister Tayeb Belaiz and a security chief rushed to Touggourt on Saturday to contain the situation.