The government had warned people not to show support for the demonstration, but the opposition defied the threat.
Algerian police broke up a banned demonstration, aimed at protesting unemployment and food prices, in the capital on Saturday leaving several people injured."There are several injured... and numerous arrests," Said Sadi, the head of the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) told AFP news agency.
Among those arrested was the head of the party's parliamentary group, Othmane Amazouz, Sadi said.
The government had warned people not to show support for the demonstration in a statement issued on the eve of the march, amid fears of popular unrest spreading from neighbouring Tunisia.
"Citizens are asked to show wisdom and vigilance and not respond to possible provocation aimed at disturbing their tranquility, peace of mind and serenity," said the statement, carried by the official news agency APS.
About 300 people had defied a ban to attempt to hold the demonstration but were confronted by dozens of police armed with batons, tear gas and Plexiglas shields.
The RCD said it would defy the official ban after authorities prevented it from holding an initial protest last Tuesday.
"Marches are not allowed in Algiers" the statement warned, adding that "all assemblies on public roads are considered a breach of public order".
The march was planned "without authorization", it said. Demonstrations are banned in Algeria because of a state of emergency in place since 1992.
Mounting public grievances over unemployment and rising costs sparked protests in Algeria earlier this month which left five people dead and more than 800 injured.
The government responded swiftly by reducing the prices of oil, sugar and other basic necessities which had risen sharply, while buying up a million tons of wheat amid assurances that subsidies on essential goods like flour would continue.
Unrest still simmers, however, and within the past two weeks eight people set themselves on fire in Algeria, although some cases were deemed to be linked to mental health issues.
