France, July 31 -- Unrest in Angola this week over a sharp fuel price hike has left 22 people dead and more than 1,200 arrested, the government said on Thursday.

Violence erupted on Monday when drivers ofcandongueiros- blue and white minibus taxis that carry nearly 90 percent of Luanda's commuters - launched a three-day strike.

Sporadic gunfire was heard across the capital Luanda and several other cities on Monday and Tuesday as people looted shops and clashed with police.

"We regret 22 deaths, including one police officer," Interior Minister Manuel Homem told reporters on the sidelines of a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President João Lourenco.

Nearly 200 people were injured in the violence, he said, while more than 1,...