Protesters in Albania attacked the prime minister`s office with iron bars and petrol bombs on Saturday, demanding his resignation over a scandal-plagued plan to build a ring-road around the capital.

Several people, including journalists, were hurt as police fired tear gas to push back the protesters, some of whom were residents angry over the planned demolition of homes to make way for the highway around Tirana.

During four hours of unrest, they attacked two large art installations outside the office of Prime Minister Edi Rama, an artist and former basketball player elected in 2013.

Saturday`s unrest erupted after a group of protesters broke away from a rally by several thousand opposition demonstrators who had gathered earlier in the day to demand Rama step down and call an election.

The European Union and its member states called on all sides "to do their utmost to avoid violence and further unrest".&nbsp;

Rama has faced mounting pressure in recent months. The ring-road scheme has been halted due to allegations of corruption in the awarding of contracts, leading him to sack the transport minister.

Prosecutors are investigating how a company using falsified documents, whose manager is now a fugitive, received 18 million euros in state funds to be build a section of the road.

"The government was caught stealing, and should go" said opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha, accusing the government of inciting Saturday`s violence by allowing protesters to break through a police cordon. He vowed to resume the protest on Thursday.

Rama accused opposition leaders of stirring up the unrest because they feared an ongoing overhaul of the judiciary would hold many of them accountable for alleged wrongdoing.

The scandal over the road scheme followed protests by students calling for cheaper tuition fees in December.

Rama`s Socialist Party government has steered the economy back to growth, with an expansion of about four per cent in 2018, and the Balkan NATO-member country could start accession talks with the EU in mid-2019.

However, the benefits of economic growth are not reaching everyone and many Albanians continue to leave the country in search of jobs. The perception of corruption is on the rise, especially from public private partnerships also seen as a threat to public debt.&nbsp;

Protesters in Albania attacked the prime minister`s office with iron bars and petrol bombs on Saturday, demanding his resignation over a scandal-plagued plan to build a ring-road around the capital.

Protesters in Albania attacked the prime minister`s office with iron bars and petrol bombs on Saturday, demanding his resignation over a scandal-plagued plan to build a ring-road around the capital. Several people, including journalists, were hurt as police fired tear gas to push back the protesters, some of whom were residents angry over the planned demolition of homes to make way for the highway around Tirana. During four hours of unrest, they attacked two large art installations outside the office of Prime Minister Edi Rama, an artist and former basketball player elected in 2013. Saturday`s unrest erupted after a group of protesters broke away from a rally by several thousand opposition demonstrators who had gathered earlier in the day to demand Rama step down and call an election. The European Union and its member states called on all sides "to do their utmost to avoid violence and further unrest". Rama has faced mounting pressure in recent months. The ring-road scheme has been halted due to allegations of corruption in the awarding of contracts, leading him to sack the transport minister. Prosecutors are investigating how a company using falsified documents, whose manager is now a fugitive, received 18 million euros in state funds to be build a section of the road. "The government was caught stealing, and should go" said opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha, accusing the government of inciting Saturday`s violence by allowing protesters to break through a police cordon. He vowed to resume the protest on Thursday. Rama accused opposition leaders of stirring up the unrest because they feared an ongoing overhaul of the judiciary would hold many of them accountable for alleged wrongdoing. The scandal over the road scheme followed protests by students calling for cheaper tuition fees in December. Rama`s Socialist Party government has steered the economy back to growth, with an expansion of about four per cent in 2018, and the Balkan NATO-member country could start accession talks with the EU in mid-2019. However, the benefits of economic growth are not reaching everyone and many Albanians continue to leave the country in search of jobs. The perception of corruption is on the rise, especially from public private partnerships also seen as a threat to public debt.

Albanian protesters attack PM's office to demand he quits

Thousands of opposition supporters protested outside the Albanian parliament Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, and clashed with police who used tear gas and water cannons.

The socialist prime minister has been in power since 2013. His critics accuse him of corruption.

Two police officers were hospitalised and four demonstrators had to be treated for breathing problems after the clashes, the health ministry said. Protesters tried repeatedly to break through police lines.

Several windows were broken as some demonstrators threw smoke grenades and stones towards the parliament building.&nbsp;

Around 10 protesters also tried to force their into the building with an attempt to break down the entrance door, before being pushed back by police inside.

"The situation is out of control," Lulzim Basha, leader of the main opposition centre-right Democratic Party. He blamed the police for having let the demonstrators get too close to the building so as to "incite violence" and allow Rama to denounce the opposition.

Thousands of demonstrators were still massed outside parliament by the early afternoon, an AFP journalist said.

"The 16th of February will be the last day in power for Rama," Basha told a meeting of his supporters on Wednesday. "This regime must be overturned at all costs."

Saturday's demonstration in the capital is the latest in a series that Basha has organised.

An opposition coalition made up of five parties, ranging from the centre right to the centre left, has accused Rama of "collusion with organised crime" and having "plunged the country into corruption and poverty".

They want him to stand aside in favour of a government of technocrats who would prepare early parliamentary elections.

One of the characteristics of political life in Albania is the violence of its rhetoric. Both the left and the right have accused their opponents of corruption and of being linked to organised crime.

Thousands of opposition supporters protested outside the Albanian parliament Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, and clashed with police who used tear gas and water cannons.

Thousands of opposition supporters protested outside the Albanian parliament Saturday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, and clashed with police who used tear gas and water cannons. The socialist prime minister has been in power since 2013. His critics accuse him of corruption. Two police officers were hospitalised and four demonstrators had to be treated for breathing problems after the clashes, the health ministry said. Protesters tried repeatedly to break through police lines. Several windows were broken as some demonstrators threw smoke grenades and stones towards the parliament building. Around 10 protesters also tried to force their into the building with an attempt to break down the entrance door, before being pushed back by police inside. "The situation is out of control," Lulzim Basha, leader of the main opposition centre-right Democratic Party. He blamed the police for having let the demonstrators get too close to the building so as to "incite violence" and allow Rama to denounce the opposition. Thousands of demonstrators were still massed outside parliament by the early afternoon, an AFP journalist said. "The 16th of February will be the last day in power for Rama," Basha told a meeting of his supporters on Wednesday. "This regime must be overturned at all costs." Saturday's demonstration in the capital is the latest in a series that Basha has organised. An opposition coalition made up of five parties, ranging from the centre right to the centre left, has accused Rama of "collusion with organised crime" and having "plunged the country into corruption and poverty". They want him to stand aside in favour of a government of technocrats who would prepare early parliamentary elections. One of the characteristics of political life in Albania is the violence of its rhetoric. Both the left and the right have accused their opponents of corruption and of being linked to organised crime.

Thousands of protesters clash with police outside Albanian parliament

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Albanian protesters attack PM's office to demand he quits

Thousands of protesters clash with police outside Albanian parliament