13 killed. Zeroual assures Algerian elections will take place on October 23

13 Algerians had their throats slit over the past few days in a series of attacks against civilians by suspected Islamist extremists, meanwhile President Lamine Zeroual said the state would pursue with determination its struggle against Islamist "terrorism," an Algerian paper reported August 21.

In a 30-minute-televised live speech on the occasion of Mugahidi Day, commemorating the war of independence won against France 35 years ago, Zeroual said that despite violence, Algeria will continue its democratic process and hold local elections on October 23.