ALGERIA: Algerians outraged and saddened by suicide bombings which killed 57 people attend a protest meeting

Record ID: 573984

  • Title: ALGERIA: Algerians outraged and saddened by suicide bombings which killed 57 people attend a protest meeting
  • Date: 10th September 2007
  • Summary: WOMAN WEEPING INTO FLAG
  • Embargoed: 25th September 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Algeria
  • Country: Algeria
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA6LFZWR84IONVT3XDIRGWR4633
  • Story Text: Algerians outraged and saddened by suicide bombings which killed 57 people attend a protest meeting in Algiers to demand the end of bloodshed.
    Around 5,000 Algerians gathered in central Algiers on Sunday (September 9) to protest against violence after two suicide attacks killed at least 57 people in the North African country.
    Al Qaeda's north Africa wing said it was behind the two attacks, one of which was originally intended to target President Abdelaziz Bouteflika himself, according to an Internet statement on Saturday.
    "Terrorists are not Muslims" and "The Algerian people reject terrorism and support President Abdelaziz Bouteflika", chanted the crowd, made up mainly of women.
    The statement said al Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb had masterminded Saturday's (September 8) suicide truck bombing at a coast guard barracks east of Algiers and an attack in the town of Batna less than 48 hours earlier.
    The bomber in Batna, 430 km (270 miles) southeast of Algiers, was forced detonate his device prematurely after being discovered shortly before a scheduled visit by the Algerian leader, it said.
    The incidents were seen by the government as an attempt to wreck its efforts to end 15 years of political violence.
    Sidi Said, president of the Algerian Workers General Union (UGTA), told the crowd terrorism cost lives and wrought economic and social recession.
    "We must prove to these people that they don't have any place in Algerian society," said Said.
    One woman in the predominantly female audience said: "We came for national reconciliation. We are against violence. We want the to make our country better. We don't want violence."
    Another, Bencharef Zohra, had a personal reason to attend.
    "I am a victim of terrorism; 13 years ago, they killed my son. He was a journalist. They burned my heart. I am here against terrorism and I like my president," she said.
    Conflict broke out in Algeria in 1992 after military-backed authorities scrapped elections that an Islamist party was set to win. Up to 200,000 people are estimated to have been killed.
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