Protesters and riot police have been injured as hundreds of Algerians clashed with security forces after a youth died in police custody.

The clashes follow the death of a young man at a police station in the coastal town of Zeralda, some 20 miles west of Algiers.

Police used tear gas to disperse the angry rioters who set fire to a bank after looting it.

Riots erupt occasionally across the North African country to protest social problems, including acute housing shortage and unemployment.

© NewsRoom 2006