Algerian explosions admitted by Al Qaeda

Al Qaeda in Algeria has claimed responsibility for the two suicide bombings that rocked the Algerian capital Algiers.

The two blasts killed at least 23 people and injured 160 - one explosion was near to the prime minister's office.

An Arabic TV channel recieved a call claiming to represent al-Qaeda in the Maghreb and was told that they had carried out the attacks.

The explosions in Algeria follow yesterdays events In Casablanca, Morocco, when three suspects blew themselves up after being pursued by the authorities, and a fourth was shot dead by police. There were also clashes with Tunisian militants earlier this year.

The main Islamist rebel group in Algeria, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), changed its name to the al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb in January.

The indications are that the developments in Morocco and in Algeria may have connections to the same Al Qaeda related groups. If so it is clear that Al Qaeda has the North African nations firmly in its sights.