four soldiers killed in an ambush to the east of Algiers

Four Algerian soldiers were killed in an ambush implanted by gunmen suspected to be members of al-Salafeyah Group For Call suspected to be linked to al-Qaida organization.

Algerian security sources said that the ambush took place on Sunday and targeted a military vehicle in Batna area, 500 Km to the east of the capital Algiers.

In a statement, al-Salafeyah group in its site on the Internet claimed responsibility for the attack. It said it is a big blow for the government army. It also renewed its rejection to any truce, reconciliation or dialogue with the Algerian authorities.

The Algerian ministry of the interior announced in January that hundreds of armed groups, most of them from al-Salafeyah groups are being active in several areas.

The Algerian army and police forces supported by helicopters are carrying out operations against several positions for the gunmen to the west and east of Algeria. The ministry also recently confirmed it was able to dismantle almost wholly of the armed Islamic group, the second largest armed organization in the country and its members are no more than scores.

It is, however, expected that the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika will put into general debate this year a referendum over issuing a general amnesty for the gunmen if they drop their weapons and surrender themselves. One official in a government organization for human rights said that the pardoning might also include security members who are suspected to have had violations.