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 North Africa correspondent Heba Saleh"French foreign minister Hubert Vedrine does not believe the killing will derail peace efforts"  real 28k The BBC's Jim Muir"Many other Algerians have been killed in recent months"  real 28k |
Thousands attend Hachani funeral
Hachani's coffin was carried head-high through the streets |
Thousands of people have attended the funeral in Algiers of the assassinated Islamist leader, Abdelkader Hachani.
They marched from his home in the Algerian capital, through the Bab el Oued district - known to be a stronghold of the outlawed Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) - to the Annour mosque, where the funeral took place.
"For it (Islamic state) we live and for it we die and meet our fate before the mighty Allah," the mourners chanted as they followed Hachani's coffin, draped in the white and green Algerian flag.
Riot police and sharpshooters were deployed in force around the Kattar cemetery to guard against attacks on high-profile politicians attending the burial.
Mr Hachani, the third most senior man in the FIS, was shot dead by a lone gunman on Monday.
Graveside eulogy
Several senior figures in the FIS movement were among the mourners, but their leader Abassi Madani, who is under house arrest, was not allowed to attend the service.
Abassi Madani was allowed to pay his respects |
Among the FIS leaders at the funeral was Abdelqader Boukhamkhem, who delivered a brief eulogy at the graveside.
"Hachani's martyrdom was for speaking his mind for justice... His assassins are enemies of peace, Islam and justice," he said.
The Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has deplored the killing.
Unknown killer
In a statement broadcast on television, Mr Bouteflika said it was proof that the enemies of reconciliation in Algeria were waiting for opportunities to strike.
Mr Hachani was shot dead by an unknown gunman as he entered a dental clinic near his home. There has so far been no claim of responsibility.
A FIS spokesman in London blamed "eradicators" in the country's political circles - a term it uses for those who want Islamic militants removed from Algerian life.
Others speculated that the radical Armed Islamic Group could be behind the killing.
Hachani was regarded as an astute political leader |
He was subsequently jailed for five years, and kept a low profile after his release in 1997 because of a court order prohibiting him from engaging in politics.
However, he made it clear he was opposed to the decision by his party's armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army (AIS), to cease its military activities.
He was also known to have had reservations about a plan put forward by President Bouteflika aimed at ending the violence in Algeria. The plan has been overwhelmingly approved in a referendum.
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See also: |
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24 Nov 99 | Middle East |
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Islamist's death threatens Algeria peace process |
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24 Nov 99 | Media reports |
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Islamists denounce "cowardly" killing of leader |
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16 Sep 99 | Africa |
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Analysis: A people tired of conflict |
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23 Nov 99 | Monitoring |
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Algerian press denounces killing |
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22 Nov 99 | Middle East |
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Algerian Islamic leader shot dead |
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17 Sep 99 | Africa |
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Algerian vote 'victory for peace' |
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17 Sep 99 | Africa |
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Analysis: Bouteflika emerges victorious |
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Algerian News Agency |
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World Algerian Action Coalition |
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