Reports from Algeria suggest that the leader of the Islamic Salvation Army, Madani Mezrag, has abandoned plans to go into exile.

Mr Mezrag was reported to be considering exile, after agreeing last week to disband his rebel organisation -- the military wing of the outlawed FIS -- in return for an amnesty.

The newspaper, el Youm, said that Mr Mezrag had decided had decided to remain in Algeria, in the same position as his troops who have taken advantage of the amnesty.

The AIS leader was reported to have been shot and wounded on Thursday, by one of his advisers who accused him of failing to consult other officials concerning the amnesty.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service