Al-Qaida's north Africa wing claimed responsibility for Tuesday's double bombing attacks in Algiers in an internet posting.

 

In a statement posted on a militant web site, al-Qaida's Branch in the Islamic Maghreb said two of its "martyrs" attacked "the headquarters of the international infidels' den" as well as the Algerian constitutional council each with 800 kg of explosives loaded in their cars.

 

The statement said 60 people were killed in the first attack and 50 in the second.

 

The two car bombings have claimed at least 67 lives, according to Algerian health ministry source, and the United Nations announced that at least five UN staff members were killed and around 10 were missing in the attacks.

 

Al-Qaida’s Branch in the Islamic Maghreb was changed into the current name from the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) early this year, after gaining the approval of Osama bin Laden. The GSPC had stated its aims as establishing an Islamic state within Algeria and targeted Westerners.

 

The group has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly attacks, including a series of bombings in the Algerian capital on April 11 which killed 33 people.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 12, 2007)