CAIRO Ñ Algeria has been rocked by the bloodiest bombing attack this
year.
The bomb went off in a market in a suburb south of Algiers. At least 38
people were killed and 82 people were injured in the explosion in the
village of Larba, 20 kilometers south of the capital.
Earlier last week, Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammed Amari said that Algeria has, in effect, defeated terrorism. In an address to the military, the chief of staff said Algeria has
curbed the Islamic insurgency. But he acknowledged that insurgency groups
continue to launch attacks against military and civilian targets.
He denied reports that Al Qaida seeks to make Algeria into the movement's
new base of operations.
"Algeria is not a country open to terrorists," the general said.
The explosion on Friday took place during celebrations of Algeria's
Independence Day. It was called the bloodiest attack so far this year.
About 770 people have been killed this year in the Islamic insurgency
war in Algeria. The two main groups behind the violence have been the Armed
Islamic Group [GIA] and the Salafist Group for Call and Combat
GIA leader Rahid Abu Turab said his group would continue to attack
Algerian targets. Abu Turab, who succeeded his assassinated predecessor
Antar Zabrawi said all those who do not support the policy of his group
would be regarded as targets.
"There will no dialogue, no reconciliation," Abu Turab said in a
statement. "Rather blood, blood and the sword is the deciding element."
The two groups have rejected an initiative by President Abdul Aziz
Bouteflika for a reconciliation to end the decade-long Islamic insurgency
war. Bouteflika has announced that municipal elections would be held on Oct.
10. A statement by Bouteflika's office said this would restore confidence
between the country and its citizens.
