Algerian police faced off with some 500 student protesters leading to several injuries when police used batons to break up the Monday rally

Algerian police faced off with some 500 student protesters who gathered outside the education ministry in defiance of a ban on public gatherings in Algiers, leading to several injuries when police used batons to break up the Monday rally.

Monday's protest near the ministry of higher education follows scattered strikes and protests in recent weeks. 

Algerian police brandishing clubs weaved their way through the crowd of opposition supporters in central Algiers, banging their shields, tackling some protesters and keeping traffic flowing through the planned march route.

The protesters are demanding President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's ouster, citing the same problems of high unemployment, high food prices and corruption that inspired revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.

"Large numbers of police were mobilized to prevent the students from going ahead. Dozens of police vans and military-style vehicles were dotted around the capital hours before the demonstration was supposed to begin," Mustapha Bouchachi, president of Algerian League for Human Rights said.

According to Noureddine Ben Braham, parliamentarian and president of the Algerian Muslim Scouts, the Algerian unrest could affect the world economy. "Unrest in Algeria could have implications on the world economy since it is a major oil and gas exporter, but analysts say an Egypt-style revolt is unlikely because the government can use its energy wealth to placate most grievances. Algeria's biggest opposition forces are not taking part in the protest," Ben Braham said.