In Kabylie's capital, Tizi Ouzou, riot police clashed with youths trying to sabotage polling stations.

BBC: US condemns Algeria poll violence

Only 175 out of 880 voting centres in Tizi Ouzou opened, while elsewhere demonstrators attacked polling stations with knives and petrol bombs, the interior ministry said.

BBC: US condemns Algeria poll violence

Our correspondent, who went to Tizi Ouzou, said streets were deserted and the air was thick with black smoke from burning tyres set ablaze by the protesters.

BBC: US condemns Algeria poll violence