Police in Niger clashed with stone-throwing and tyre-burning demonstrators in at least three cities on Thursday during a nationwide protest against price rises for basic goods in one of the world's poorest countries. About 40 people were detained in Maradi, to the east of the capital Niamey, after youths tried to block traffic by setting tyres on fire, police sources said. Some 10 demonstrators were also held in Zinder, the country's second-biggest city. In Tahoua, 650 km (400 miles) north of Niamey, police clashed with protesters trying to hold a rally. There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests. Calm later returned. The protest was the latest in a series aimed at forcing the government to drop a new tax on staples such as flour and milk and utilities like electricity and water. In Niamey, shops and schools were shut and some civil servants did not go to work despite government warnings they would be punished. Hospital staff also went on strike. The protests piled pressure on President Tandja Mamadou's government, drawing unwelcome attention as he holds the rotating presidency of the Economic Community of West African States. --More 2211 Local Time 1911 GMT
