ALGERIAN BOMBING AHEAD OF GAMES !
A suicide bomber has targeted a military barracks in Algeria killing at least nine people, say police, ahead of the opening of the All-Africa Games.
Many more are reported to be injured in the blast that occurred near Bouira, 120km east of the capital, Algiers.
Eyewitnesses said that a vehicle laden with explosives drove at high speed into the barracks in Lakhdaria village.
Some 8,000 athletes representing more than 20 sports are in the country for the opening ceremony on Wednesday.
The All-Africa games are one of the continent's biggest sporting events.
Tight security
The BBC's Inas Mazhar in Algiers says there is unprecedented security presence in the city in preparation for the event.
She said organisers have gone to great lengths to make sure every part of the capital is secured - searching Google Earth to get accurate pictures of the city.
Some 8,710 police officers and soldiers have been appointed to secure the capital to be distributed around 91 locations, she said.
There are also 94 checkpoints in the city.
It is the second time that Algeria has hosted the games - the first being in 1978.
Some athletes had expressed concern about going to the games given recent insecurity in the country.
In April, an organisation called al-Qaeda in the Maghreb claimed responsibility for two blasts in Algiers which killed more than 20 people ahead of elections.
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, whose party won the polls, launched a programme of national reconciliation in 2005, following years of a violent Islamist insurgency.
Berbers
Wednesday's blast happened in the mountainous Kabylie region, home to the Berber ethnic group who make up 30% of the population.
The Berbers have been resisting the spreading Arab influence and their demands for greater rights have sparked unrest.
In 2005, the government also made a deal with Berber leaders, promising more investment in Kabylie and greater recognition for Tamazight language.
But in May's elections, the main political group linked to the Berber-speaking areas in the north-east boycotted the polls.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
Many more are reported to be injured in the blast that occurred near Bouira, 120km east of the capital, Algiers.
Eyewitnesses said that a vehicle laden with explosives drove at high speed into the barracks in Lakhdaria village.
Some 8,000 athletes representing more than 20 sports are in the country for the opening ceremony on Wednesday.
The All-Africa games are one of the continent's biggest sporting events.
Tight security
The BBC's Inas Mazhar in Algiers says there is unprecedented security presence in the city in preparation for the event.
She said organisers have gone to great lengths to make sure every part of the capital is secured - searching Google Earth to get accurate pictures of the city.
Some 8,710 police officers and soldiers have been appointed to secure the capital to be distributed around 91 locations, she said.
There are also 94 checkpoints in the city.
It is the second time that Algeria has hosted the games - the first being in 1978.
Some athletes had expressed concern about going to the games given recent insecurity in the country.
In April, an organisation called al-Qaeda in the Maghreb claimed responsibility for two blasts in Algiers which killed more than 20 people ahead of elections.
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, whose party won the polls, launched a programme of national reconciliation in 2005, following years of a violent Islamist insurgency.
Berbers
Wednesday's blast happened in the mountainous Kabylie region, home to the Berber ethnic group who make up 30% of the population.
The Berbers have been resisting the spreading Arab influence and their demands for greater rights have sparked unrest.
In 2005, the government also made a deal with Berber leaders, promising more investment in Kabylie and greater recognition for Tamazight language.
But in May's elections, the main political group linked to the Berber-speaking areas in the north-east boycotted the polls.
posted by jackaranda at 2:43 pm
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