Top Islamist militant 'killed' in Algeria

Tens of thousands have been killed in the conflict

The head of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), one of two main extremist groups in Algeria's brutal civil war, is reported to have been killed by security forces near Algiers.

Antar Zouabri and two other terrorists were shot dead by security forces on Friday at Boufarik

Security forces statement

Antar Zouabri, who had led the GIA since 1996, was killed late on Friday along with two colleagues in a gunfight at a house in his hometown of Boufarik, south of Algiers, the Algerian Government said in a statement.

He has been reported dead by newspapers several times in the past, but this is the first time the government has announced his death.

The GIA has taken a leading role in the civil war, costing tens of thousands of lives, which began after an Islamic party was prevented from taking power in Algeria following elections in 1992.

Statement

"Antar Zouabri and two other terrorists were shot dead by security forces on Friday at Boufarik," the statement said.

Zouabri led one of Algeria's most feared militant groups

It added that police had been given the tip-off that Mr Zouabri was in a safe house near Boufarik's main stadium.

"Security forces were deployed in the area. A clash took place, leading to the neutralisation of the three terrorists, among them Zouabri," it said.

The authorities blamed Mr Zouabri for his part in a series of massacres and for encouraging GIA soldiers to kidnap thousands of girls to use as sex slaves in mountainous tunnels and caves.

Algerian intelligence said he evaded police and army manhunts by travelling with hundreds of fellow rebels, often through rugged mountains and thick forests.

The leader of hardline Group for Salafist Preaching and Combat, Hassan Hattab, is now thought to be the only other major rebel leader still alive in Algeria.