La Nouvell Republic: 12 gunmen killed in security confrontations in Algeria

Some 12 Algerian gunmen were killed in confrontations that erupted on Tuesday with the security forces in Annaba and Khanshala areas in the east of Algeria.

The Algerian daily "La Nouvell Republic" said that 10 burnt bodies for what it called extremists Islamists were found following breaking in operations carried out by the security forces in the mountains near Ein Barbar in Annaba area, 600 km to the east of the capital Algiers.

Other Algerian dailies said that two gunmen were killed by the bullets of the security forces in Budkhan mountains near Khanshala in al-Oras areas, 450 km southern east of the capital.

Ten gunmen were killed nine days ago in mopping up operations carried out by the security forces in Ein al-Delfi, and Almedia areas west and east of the capital Algiers.

Since the beginning of the current month at least 45 persons were killed including 30 gunmen in acts of violence, according to official figures and press statements.

In an attempt to end acts of violence the Algerian President Abdul Aziz Butaflika announced on August 14 a referendum on "the peace document and reconciliation" in order to halt bloodshed in this country where some 150,000 persons have been killed, according to official figures in a period of one decade.