Al Qaeda leader in Algeria surrenders

Published February 2, 2009

ALGIERS, Feb 1: A leading member of Al Qaeda’s North African branch has surrendered to Algerian authorities, several newspapers reported on Sunday, citing security sources.

Ali Ben Touati, said to be a key leader of Al Qaeda, gave himself up in Yakouren in the Tizi Ouzou region east of the capital Algiers, the El Watan and Algerie News newspapers said.

According to the reports, Ben Touati, also known as Abou Tamime, said he was responding to a recent appeal by one of the leading militants in Algeria, Hassan Hattab.

Hattab called on militants to end their armed campaign in a message earlier this month in which he urged his followers to take advantage of a government amnesty. Al Qaeda’s North African offshoot has claimed responsibility for a wave of suicide attacks.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.