Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) has refused to give up armed fighting as it was called for by President of the Republic, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in his speech before Nation’s executives on December 26. The GSPC invited Home Minister to tell the “truth” about security situation in Algeria. The Salafist Group is awaiting Ben Laden’s “instructions” for the coming stage, it adds. Abdelmalek Droukdal alias Abu Musaab Abdelouadoud, Chief of the GSPC, released via internet a long message dated December 3, in which he rejects the President’s call, saying the Salafist Group “is determined to carry on its path”. Headed “Word”, the message explained that GSPC which came out of the GIA (Islamic Armed Group) in the Fall 1998 got no foreign support. Yet, it is mentioned that the group had obtained lately quantities of arms and ammunition.
The Salafist Group has unprecedently admitted it was assisted by foreign persons to carry out terrorist attacks, “young men are getting up and are keen to bear arms from inside the country and from abroad as well”, said Droukdal who made a call foreigners as well as Algerians to join his rows. El Khabar had previously published stories on Tunisians, Libyans, Moroccans and some people from African Sahel who have been fighting –until now- under the banner of the GSPC. El Khabar also mentioned some Algerian young men joined the group lately.
Abdelouadoud invited Interior Minister, Yazid Zerhouni, to “disclose the real figure about the young men who have joined Jihad ground in the last months”. It is wrong to speak of “residual terrorists”, adds the message mentioning latest terrorist attacks. The message also addressed to what it called “our dearest Abi Abdallah Osama Ben Laden”, renewing allegiance to him, and qualifying GSPC’s members of Bin Laden’s soldiers. The United States and NATO are supporting, logistically and financially, African Sahel countries “to fight us”, he explains adding “evil axis” has started to move after we announced allegiance to al-Qaeda in mid-September. “We are awaiting your instructions and recommendations for next stage”, Abu Musab Abdelouadoud affirmed addressing Bin Laden.