Algeria denounces Iran

The prime minister of Algeria, Ahmed Ouyahia, has accused Iran of being the foremost supporter of the Islamic extremists blamed by the military-backed government for carrying out massacres inside Algeria.

He said Iran had contributed more than any other country towards arming and training Algerians in what he called the framework of terrorism.

The Algerian authorities have long accused Iran of supporting militant groups, and broke off diplomatic relations over the issue five years ago.

Iran has repeatedly called on the international community to bring an end to the violence in Algeria.

In a speech to parliament, Mr Ouyahia also repeated that European capitals -- especially London -- were being used to gather money and weapons for what he called a barbaric campaign of terrorism inside Algeria.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service