Sawt Falasteen - Albanian capital sees fifth straight day of violent clashes

Several hundred people, some masked, gathered around noon in front of the ministry of education, with protests later spreading across the city.

Protesters threw rocks at the police and set litter bins on fire, using them as barricades to prevent the police from advancing.

After police officers had used megaphones to call on those gathered to desist from violence, they used water cannons and tear gas to temporarily disperse the crowd.

Violent demonstrations have rocked Tirana since Tuesday, with thousands of protesters calling for Rama to step down over university conditions and high tuition fees.

At the beginning of the protest demonstrators set a suitcase on fire and threw it in the education ministry courtyard -– symbolically showing they do not want to leave Albania.

Journalism student Sinan Billa said the protest was "a reaction to express discontent at the silence of our government."

"Young people have awoken for our parents, too," Billa told AFP.

"We are not asking for privileges. We are demanding our rights, our future and a better country," he said.

While visiting local business damaged in the demonstrations, Rama said he respected the students and added that "their right to protest must and will be protected.

"Their voices, the voices of young people and of every citizen who has taken part in protests today, must and will be heard with respect," Rama said.

However, he added that he "will not allow anyone to jeopardise the future of this country".

Local media reported further protests in the coastal town of Durres, where demonstrators smashed the windows of the post office and blocked roads with burning barricades.

On Friday night police deployed tear gas and water cannons as protesters hurled stones at security forces, burning dustbins to block roads across the city. The clashes continued into the night in several parts of the city.

Police said 10 people were arrested after Friday's demonstrations, with criminal proceedings lodged against a further 22.

The health ministry said 25 people, including nine police officers, sustained minor injuries during clashes in Tirana, Vlora and Lezha on Friday.

This week's escalation of unrest comes after months of anti-government protests in the Balkan nation, initially sparked by a controversial resort development linked to US President Donald Trump's family.

H.Nasr--SF-PST