Vicenza, 21 July (AKI) - Italian police on Friday arrested four Algerian nationals on charges they belonged to a cell of the Salafite Group for Preaching and Combat, a militant group based in Algeria which has sworn allegiance to al Qaeda. The arrests took place in a vast anti-terror operation in the northern regions of Veneto and Lombardy and the central city of Reggio Emilia. The alleged terror ring was based in Venice and operated across Italy to finance the group and recruit militants to send to Algeria and Iraq. Ring members are also charged with forging identification papers and residence permits for illegal immigrants. Interior minister Giuliano Amato said the operation was significant as cell members "were ready to reach Algeria and Iraq in an operational role."