Sawt Falasteen - Several wounded in clashes at Albania opposition rally

According to the police, at least 16 officers were wounded and 13 arrests made at the demonstration in Tirana, the latest in a series of restive anti-governmental rallies called by opposition leader Sali Berisha.

Both the parliament and the seat of government were targeted. Some protesters launched fireworks while the police, out in force for the demonstration, used water cannons to disperse the crowd.

Berisha, a former prime minister and bitter rival of the current socialist leader Edi Rama, said a deputy from his centre-right party had been taken to hospital with injuries.

For years, Albanian political life has been marked by tense protests, while politicians from across the political spectrum regularly trade virulent barbs and accusations of ties to organised crime.

Rama has been rocked by the suspension of his close ally, vice-premier Belinda Balluku, as a result of her suspected involvement in a corruption scandal.

Berisha is himself suspected of having handed lucrative public contracts to his inner circle, which he firmly denies.

He has called for another demonstration on February 20.

W.AbuLaban--SF-PST