Algeria has denied reports that as many as 400 people were killed in an attack in the village of Sidi Hammad near Algiers late on Sunday.

Algerian radio, quoting an interior ministry statement, accused some foreign media of trying to create confusion by exaggerating the number killed.

It said the official toll stood at 103, which was "sufficiently tragic".

In another development, the radio said Algeria's National Assembly has suspended work until the government answers questions from deputies on security issues.

Below are the reports as broadcast by Algerian radio:

Interior Ministry statement

Text of report by Algerian radio on 13th January

The residents of Sidi Hammad are slowly recovering from the terrible massacres perpetrated the day before yesterday [Sunday].

Pictures of the horror are still present in their minds. Families are burying their dead and taking note of the damage.

It is worth recalling that 103 people were killed and over 70 injured in the terrorist attack. The death toll is 103 and not 400, as reported by some national dailies.

In this respect, a statement by the Interior Ministry has strongly denied these reports which give a death toll of 400 in Sidi Hammad. The Interior Ministry statement reaffirms that according to the toll given by the security services 103 people were killed and 70 injured, 10 of them seriously.

It says that it is once again amazed at the propensity to want to magnify, at all costs, situations which are already sufficiently tragic.

Beyond the figures and the controversy linked to the management of security information, and whatever the number of the victims of the atrocities committed by the criminal hordes may be, morality and national solidarity demand a minimum of decency and respect for the populations affected by these vile acts.

One dead is one dead too many. This is what the authorities have always maintained.

They are now wondering what is the point of this macabre accountancy which has become the speciality of some foreign media whose avowed aim is to sow confusion and doubt in public opinion which has been severely affected.

Without casting doubt on the good faith and the sincerity of the overwhelming majority of the members of the national press community, who are equally affected by this vile barbarity, the Interior Ministry again appeals to their common sense and reason which have always prevailed in similar situations.

Source: Algerian radio, Algiers, in French 1130 gmt 13 Jan 98

Assembly suspends session

Text of report by Algerian radio on 13th January

Proceedings at the National People's Assembly have been suspended until the government submits to questioning by the deputies.

According to the assembly's rules, the government must answer the deputies' questions on security matters within seven days.

Source: Algerian radio, Algiers, in French 1500 gmt 13 Jan 98

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