Algerian lawyers strike over political pressure

Lawyers in Algeria have been holding a nationwide strike in protest at what they say is increasing political pressure on the country's judicial system.

The two-day national strike is in solidarity with lawyers in the capital Algiers, who started their own stoppage on Sunday.

The lawyers say that there have been arbitrary arrests and an effort by the authorities to push through a new constitution.

The powerful elite in Algeria has been shaken by mass protests demanding reform that started in February last year.