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Jobless Algerian dies of self-immolation

An Algerian man has died after setting himself on fire to protest the government’s failure to give him a job and a house.

Mohcin Bouterfif, 37, died of serious burns over his body on Sunday afternoon after he lit himself up in front of the town hall in Boukhadra, east of Tebessa near the Tunisian border, AFP reported.

The incident happened when Bouterfif and some other youths had gathered in front of the town hall in indignation over jobs and housing and had been ignored by the mayor.

The Tebessa governor has ordered the head of Boukhadra municipality assembly to leave office in an effort apparently intended to prevent public outrage over the issue.

However, dozens of people have gathered to launch a rally in support of the man.

This comes only weeks after a protester in Tunisia set himself on fire, sparking the demonstrations that eventually led to the revolution in the country.

Three other attempted public suicides have been reported in Algeria in the past week.

Algeria has recently witnessed protests over unemployment and a sharp rise in food prices.

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