Algerian Islamic Salvation Front leader assassinated

The Algerian presidency on Monday condemned in a statement the assassination of Sheikh Abdelkader Hachani, one of the leaders of the banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS). The statement also called on Algerian citizens to be cautious and calm until "those who want to violate our country, our present and our future, are uncovered."

The statement stressed that, "This criminal act proves that the enemies of civil and national harmony and of national reconciliation, whether inside or outside the country, still want to hurt the Algerian people, which is still healing its wounds only to stand up again and regain its place in the concert of nations."

The statement continued that since he was released from prison Hachani has been practicing his activities in secret and open freely.

Earlier in the day, the Algerian security forces announced that Hachani was killed after he was exposed to an armed assault while he was at a dental clinic in Bab al-Wad quarter in Algiers.

No side claimed responsibility for the killing, while the Algerian security forces started investigations to learn the identity of those who committed the attack.