The leader of Algeria's feared Armed Islamic Group (GIA) is thought to have been killed by security forces.
Abou Tourab was believed to be one of 15 armed Islamic extremists killed during an operation mounted last week by the security forces in the Tamezguida forest, known to be a GIA stronghold in the Medea region, 80 kilometres south of Algiers.
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Mr Tourab, who took over at the head of the GIA in February after the death of the extremist group's long-time leader, Antar Zouabri, has been quoted as vowing to murder all Algerians who disagree with the group's views, and also to rape women.
"We will continue to destroy their harvests, take their goods, rape their women, decapitate them in the cities, the villages and the deserts," he said after taking over the group. "Neither truce, nor dialogue, nor reconciliation, nor security, but blood, blood, destruction, destruction".
The Algerian press had reported the death of Zouabri after a gunbattle south of Algiers on February 8th.
The GIA is one of two extremist groups still active in Algeria, the other one being the Salafist Group for Preaching and combat (GSPC).
Algeria plunged into violence after the army in January 1992 halted a general election which a Muslim fundamentalist part was poised to win. Over 100,000 people have been killed in the violence since then.
AFP