Al-Qaida's north Africa wing claimed responsibility for
Tuesday's double bombing attacks in Algiers in an internet
posting.
In a statement posted on a militant web site, al-Qaida's Branch
in the Islamic Maghreb said two of its "martyrs" attacked "the
headquarters of the international infidels' den" as well as the
Algerian constitutional council each with 800 kg of explosives
loaded in their cars.
The statement said 60 people were killed in the first attack and
50 in the second.
The two car bombings have claimed at least 67 lives, according
to Algerian health ministry source, and the United Nations
announced that at least five UN staff members were killed and
around 10 were missing in the attacks.
Al-Qaida’s Branch in the Islamic Maghreb was changed into the
current name from the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat
(GSPC) early this year, after gaining the approval of Osama bin
Laden. The GSPC had stated its aims as establishing an Islamic
state within Algeria and targeted Westerners.
The group has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly
attacks, including a series of bombings in the Algerian capital on
April 11 which killed 33 people.
(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2007)
