More bloodshed in Algeria

29 villagers were killed in the southwestern Algerian province of Saida on Saturday night, an Algerian newspaper reported yesterday.

About 60 terrorists stormed Hassi Labed village at 10:00 p.m. after encircling the hamlet and blowing up a bridge on the main road to hinder transport access by government troops, Liberte newspaper said.

They then began to slaughter the villagers, gunning down or hacking to death 29 peasants and setting many homes ablaze, Liberte said. Among the victims were children and elderly men and women.

Liberte quoted survivors as saying they believed the attackers were members of a unit of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA). The newspaper said the assailants were commanded by Mustafa Akl, GIA regional commander far the western provinces, Al-Ahram daily reported.