Seven Algerians were killed by gunmen

Seven Algerian civilians were killed by the bullets of unidentified gunmen presumed to have links to al-Qaida organization in an attack which took place on Tuesday evening near the capital Algiers.

The Algerian security sources did not clarify the implications or reasons behind the incident but news reports said that gunmen affiliates to "al-Salafeyah group for guidance" had killed the seven civilians.

The pace of acts of violence in Algeria has greatly receded during the few past years, as the security authorities intensified operations against what it called those who violate the law. The Algerian government also refused to lift the emergency status declared in the country since 1992.

Worthy mentioning that some 15,000 Algerians were killed in the cycle of violence started in the beginning of 1990s after the Algerian authorities abrogated results of the legislative elections in which the Islamic majority Salvation Front had won.

Chairman of the Algerian national security department Ali Tounisi announced enhancing security efforts and increasing number of the security forces at a rate of 30% to withstand what he called attacks of the rebels.