Algerian Prime Minister Ali Bin Flis, during a visit to the southern city of al-Jafla city said, ?I am carrying a message of hope. And a promise to work for solving problems of the area, and I demand that the government will be fully supported in fighting terrorism, which will be ultimately eliminated.?
Towards the end of last year, the government fight against terrorism took the form of air-to-ground missiles fired from helicopters, in one instance killing 18 armed Islamic extremists in a major operation. Other past government measures against terror have included parading alleged terrorists before national television to make various self-incriminating statements, after which they disappear, never to be heard from again.
Nine years of warfare between the Algerian security services and Islamic terrorists has resulted in more than 100,000 dead and material losses estimated at two billion US dollars.
In a related story, the Algerian newspaper Al-Youm has reported a growing movement of conversion to Christianity in outlying, tribal areas most affected by Islamic terrorism. There were 19 missionary societies in the Al-Barbar tribal area alone, according the newspaper. The Islamic Supreme Council and the Algerian Ministry of Religious Affairs, Al-Youm reported, have not taken any action to halt the conversions to Christianity. The newspaper warned of the existence of ?a Berber-Francophone lobby? inimical to Islam and Arab civilization that was established in the tribal and desert areas and is promoting Christianity and missionary activities.
Towards the end of last year, the government fight against terrorism took the form of air-to-ground missiles fired from helicopters, in one instance killing 18 armed Islamic extremists in a major operation. Other past government measures against terror have included parading alleged terrorists before national television to make various self-incriminating statements, after which they disappear, never to be heard from again.
Nine years of warfare between the Algerian security services and Islamic terrorists has resulted in more than 100,000 dead and material losses estimated at two billion US dollars.
In a related story, the Algerian newspaper Al-Youm has reported a growing movement of conversion to Christianity in outlying, tribal areas most affected by Islamic terrorism. There were 19 missionary societies in the Al-Barbar tribal area alone, according the newspaper. The Islamic Supreme Council and the Algerian Ministry of Religious Affairs, Al-Youm reported, have not taken any action to halt the conversions to Christianity. The newspaper warned of the existence of ?a Berber-Francophone lobby? inimical to Islam and Arab civilization that was established in the tribal and desert areas and is promoting Christianity and missionary activities.