Summary Observers say the heavy security reflects the political unease in a country.
ALGIERS (AP) - Algeria says that nearly 10,000 members of the security forces have been mobilized to control crowds for Tuesday s final World Cup qualifier match against Burkina Faso.
Observers say the heavy security reflects the political unease in a country where the ailing elderly president has just been nominated by his party for another term in April s elections.
The state s harsh responses to journalists, bloggers and cartoonists accused of ridiculing the president are another sign of the tense situation in this oil-rich country with the region s strongest military.
Tuesday s Algeria-Burkina Faso match has featured strongly in the newspapers in this soccer-mad nation, and authorities are hoping a win would boost their standing.
Despite its oil wealth, Algeria suffers frequent strikes and protests by citizens demanding better jobs and services.
