Reports from Algeria say fourteen government soldiers have been killed and several others wounded in two attacks that are being blamed on Islamist rebels.Newspapers say the most serious attack happened on Thursday night, when the rebels ambushed two vehicles carrying soldiers in Oran province, west of the Algiers.

The reports say they set off a roadside bomb as the vehicles passed by, then opened fire on the patrol.

In the other attack at least three policemen were shot dead in the Draa el Mizan area, east of the capital.

There has been no official confirmation of the attacks.