TWO car bombs killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 20 others in the Algerian capital at the end of an unprecedented offensive by Islamic extremists during the fasting month of Ramadan.
Security officials said the 12 died and 22 were injured in Algiers as people gathered to eat their first meal of the day on Sunday evening. The privately owned El Watan daily reported yesterday that at least 90 were hurt in one of the blasts.
El Watan also said two other car bombs went off in the towns of Chlef and Djelfa on Sunday, "causing property damage". The paper, which is censored in the print shop, made no mention of casualties, but said "the interior of the country has not been spared the murderous folly. Chlef and Djelfa, known as terrorist strongholds, have also lived moments of tragedy."
The explosions brought to 16 the number of car bomb blasts since the start of Ramadan, which armed Muslim fundamentalists contend to be a propitious month for their Jihad, or holy war, against the military backed secular authorities. The attacks have claimed at least 73 lives and wounded almost 300 people, according to official and press tolls.
Meanwhile, the Algerian ambassador to South Africa has been recalled following President Nelson Mandela's meeting with a leading member of Algeria's outlawed Islamic Salvation Front (FIS), diplomatic sources said in Algiers yesterday.
The ambassador, Mr Said Kitouni, would note confirm or deny the report but said all diplomats from Arab countries in Pretoria would meet today at the Jordanian embassy to discuss Mr Mandela's meeting with FIS leader, Mr Anouar Haddam.