Algerian police protest at president's office

(AP) — Algerian police tried to push their way into the president's headquarters Wednesday in an unusual protest movement prompted by violence against security forces in the south.

The unrest in southern Algeria and protests in the capital come amid concerns that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is too ill to rule Africa's largest country, an ally in U.S. efforts against terrorism. Bouteflika has been largely absent from the public eye since his re-election in April, and it's unclear whether he was in his office Wednesday.

In the second day of protests in Algiers, about 300 police officers marched to the president's office, wearing their blue uniforms but apparently unarmed. Some tried to push their way past the front gate but were stopped by guards.

The president's chief of staff, Ahmed Ouyahia, emerged to try to talk to protesters, but quickly went back inside after he was met with boos and hisses. The police demanded to see the prime minister instead.

They are demanding the resignation of the head of all security forces in the country, Gen. Abdelghani Hamel, chanting "Hamel, Get Out!"

The protesters are showing support for colleagues in the riot-torn southern oasis city Ghardaia, where security forces have been attacked, according to local media. About a dozen people have been killed and many shops burned in riots since December, as Berber and Arab communities compete for scarce jobs and housing there. Thousands of police have been sent there to quell the violence.

The country's police have not been known to demonstrate before and the unprecedented march comes at a delicate time for oil and gas-rich Algeria.