Algeria: Special security measures to protect ministers and top officials

Algerian security forces have tightened up security measures for State top officials especially during their inspection visits in different towns.The number of accompanying security delegations in charge of protecting the officials has been increased. Competent bodyguards have been mobilised and ordered to be vigilant.

According to a security official, the security measures are “normal” and preventive coming within recent security instructions which involved official and sensitive institutions headquarters.

“Security measures were tightened up especially after an assassination attempt against Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his delegation in Batna province (east of Algiers),” said the same source.

Security forces seriously took threats issued in a video tape showing the two suicide bombers who was behind the Algiers attacks on April 11, 2006. Marwane Boudina alias Muad Bnu Jabal and Mouloud Ben Chihab alias Abu Dejana threatened President Bouteflika as he is the mastermind of the National Reconciliation which had negative impacts on terrorists, according to sources close to the issue.

The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) tried in its recent statements on the Internet to face a series of criticisms of suicide attacks especially after most prominent jihad and Salafist movements’ references had washed hands of those crimes.

Thus, the GSPC turned to “promote” a plan meant to target President Bouteflika and his officials following failure in concretising it, say observers.