Washington blames Islamists for Algeria massacres

INCLUDES 2000 ALGERIA UN The United States says it believes the great majority of massacres in Algeria are being carried out by extremists of the Armed Islamic Group, or GIA.

A spokesman, James Rubin, said, however, that the situation was complex, and that self-defence groups armed by the Algerian authorities might also be involved in some killings.

He said Washington favoured a United Nations investigator visiting Algeria on a fact-finding mission.

Algiers has rejected this, saying there is no doubt that the killings are the work of Islamic militants.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service