The authorities in Algeria say the local head of the militant Armed Islamic Group, or GIA, in the capital, Algiers, has been killed in an army operation.

Security services said the man, Mohamed Kebaili, known as Ayachi, had died when the army stormed the apartment near to the airport where he was hiding.

Officials said three other Islamic militants were killed in the operation, as were two children and one soldier.

The GIA is the most militant of the Islamic groups that turned to violence after the authorities cancelled elections in 1992 that Islamic parties seemed sure to win.