Surge of violence in Algeria

Security services in Algeria say fifty-nine people were massacred in two separate attacks by armed Islamic groups on Tuesday night.

The attacks were in the region of Tiaret, two-hundred-and-fifty kilometres 150 milessouthwest of Algiers, and at Bainem, close to the capital.

Meanwhile the security forces said they had killed fourteen suspected extremists in separate operations in the last few days.

Correspondents say fears have been growing of an upsurge of violence in Algeria in the run-up to the holy month of Ramadan

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service