French Algerian war general dies

A French paratroop general criticised for his repressive methods during the Algerian war of independence has died at his home near Paris at the age of 94.

General Jacques Massu led the French forces to victory during the Battle of Algiers in 1957, but two years ago he publicly admitted that Algerian prisoners had suffered widespread torture and summary execution.

General Massu expressed regret for such actions and said the eventual institutionalisation of torture within the French army had been wrong and unnecessary.

President Jacques Chirac praised the general, in a statement following his death, as a great soldier who'd conducted himself with "dignity, courage and honesty" since making his admissions.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service