Police, protesters clash outside Albanian parliament

TIRANA: Thousands of opposition supporters clashed with police outside the Albanian parliament on Saturday during an anti-government protest demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The socialist prime minister, in power since 2013, has been accused of corruption by his critics.

Police fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters, some of whom tried to enter the parliamentary building in the capital Tirana by forcing their way through the main entrance.

Five police officers and around ten demonstrators and journalists required hospital treatment, mostly for breathing problems after the clashes, the health ministry said.

Protesters repeatedly tried to break through police lines.

Several windows were broken as some demonstrators threw smoke grenades and stones towards the parliament building.