A statement published on several Islamist internet forums has announced the creation of a new al-Qaeda cell in Algeria. In the document, signed by previously unknown Abu Suheib Maliani, there are references to forming an organised group called al-Qaeda of the Jihad in Algeria. The name takes its lead from Jordanian militant Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, who calls his group al-Qaeda of the Jihad in Iraq. The signatories appear to be seeking to become the officially designated al-Qaeda cell in Algeria and are asking the combatents of the Salafite Islamist formations hiding in the mountains to join a "new project" and not to accept the Algerian government's offer of a pardon. In the threatening message, the militants outlined their terrorist objectives: "From day one we say that we are not responsible for attacks on innocent people and Algerian civilians. Our targets are Jews, Christians, important figures, embassies and foreign interests - they are the real objective we ask the nation to unite against and to strike wherever they are".The chief of Algeria's General Amnesty Commission (CNGAG) , Abdel Razzak Ismail, said last month that at least 400 terrorists are prepared to lay down their arms as part of a general pardon for members of militant groups, state-armed militias and the security forces implicated in human rights abuses.
| I find this a delightful situation. It seems to mean that the GSPC is depleted and ready for discard, and the remnants can now be formed into a new bunch: longer, lower, leaner, wider, with more road-hugging weight. |