(AKI) - The leader of the Organisation of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who is in charge of the area of Algerian Sahara is ready to surrender, according to a report in Algerian daily al-Shuruq published Thursday. The paper, which quoted unnamed informed sources, said authorities are negotiating directly with the family of Mokhtar considered the Emir of the so-called Area Number Five, southern Algeria.| "I seen wot happened to Samir Saioud. I surrender!" |
Belmokhtar is allegedly in northern Mali, living with an Arab tribe, the al-Berrasha, also involved in the mediations which are taking place in the area of Ain Khalil, 35 kilometres from Mali's border with Algeria. The terror suspect is reportedly demanding a passport and the cancellation of all charges against him, including a sentence to death, in exchange for his surrender. The 11 April attacks in Algiers in which 30 people died allegedly led Belmokhtar to distance himself from al-Qaeda.