Violence sweeps Algeria

(First Edition)

Violence blamed on Muslim fundamentalists left 30 people dead, and traffic jams plagued the capital as petrol-station operators prepared to strike, AP reports from Algiers. Security forces said they killed 21 armed Muslim militants across Algeria last week, including six in the western area of Mascara. Among seven civilians killed was a 94-year-old woman murdered in her home west of Algiers. The military-led government has been unable to stamp out the attacks despite curfews and raids, and more than two-dozen foreigners - many valuable for investment and expertise - have been killed since September.