Islamist leader killed in Algeria

Algerian dailies reported on Wednesday that security forces killed on Tuesday the "prince" of the Armed Islamic Group in eastern Algeria, Alami Hamou -- known as Zein Eddine -- in Qusantinah.

Hamou, 30, had planned and carried out several attacks. He was sentenced to death and had been sought since 1993.

Meanwhile seven persons were killed in a bomb explosion when a train passed in western Algeria. Algerian radio said the bomb was exploded 112 km west of the capital in the Hammad Regha district of Ein al-Defle province. The radio report added that intensive research campaigns have been carried out to arrest the perpetrators.

The authorities blamed the attack on the Armed Islamic Group. An Algerian source told ArabicNews.com that the area in which the explosion took place is located at a crossroads in a mountainous region in which the forces hardly can exist. The source added that it was not the first time this region has been exposed to an attack and said that it is very difficult to guard such a region.