LOC18:25
15:25 GMT
ALGIERS, Sept 7 (KUNA) -- Algeria's Minister of Interior Nureddin Yazid
Zarhouni blamed Friday the suicide bomb attack in the northern town of Batna
on "external parties".
Angered by Algeria's regaining of its international prestige, external
parties with ulterior motives sought to use terrorist acts in order to damage
the interests, and mar the image, of Algeria, the minister said in a press
conference here.
Algeria asserted itself on the international arena especially in the
economic and political fields, which might have aroused ire of some capitals,
he said, without identifying the capitals.
A suicide attacker wearing an explosive belt blow himself amidst a crowd of
people who were waiting to welcome President Abdul-Aziz Bouteflika to Batna
town, some 530 k.m. east Algiers,.
The attack left 19 dead and 107 injured.
The bomb was of limited explosive power despite the big numbers of
casualties, the minister disclosed.
It is a home-made improvised charge and its chemical components are
available on the market, he adding, pledging to go ahead with the
anti-terrorism campaign in line with Bouteflika instructions. (end)
ft.gb.
KUNA 071825 Sep 07NNNN