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Algerian bombing ahead of games Algerian bombing ahead of games
(20 minutes later)
A bomb has exploded in Algeria killing eight people in the east of the North African country which is hosting the All-Africa Games. Eight people have died in an explosion near Bouira, some 120km east of Algeria's capital, Algiers, which is hosting the All-Africa Games.
The explosion occurred on Wednesday morning near a military barracks. The blast occurred on Wednesday morning near a military barracks.
According to Reuters news agency, the bomb went off near Bouira town - 120km east of the capital, Algiers.
Correspondents say some 8,000 athletes representing more than 20 sports are in the country. The opening ceremony is due to take place on Wednesday evening.
The BBC's Inas Mazhar in the capital says security is extremely tight in the city in preparation for the event.
Eyewitnesses told AFP news agency that a suicide bomber drove a vehicle at high speed into the army barracks in Lakhdaria, near Bouira.Eyewitnesses told AFP news agency that a suicide bomber drove a vehicle at high speed into the army barracks in Lakhdaria, near Bouira.
Some 8,000 athletes representing more than 20 sports are in the country for the opening ceremony on Wednesday.
Tight security
The BBC's Inas Mazhar in Algiers says there is unprecedented security presence in the city in preparation for the event.
She said organisers have gone to great lengths to make sure every part of the capital is secured - searching Google Earth to get accurate pictures of the city.
Some 8,710 police officers and soldiers have been appointed to secure the capital to be distributed around 91 locations, she said.
There are also 94 checkpoints in the city.
It is the second time that Algeria has hosted the games - the first being in 1978.
Some athletes had expressed concern about going to the games given recent insecurity in the country.
In April, an organisation called al-Qaeda in the Maghreb claimed responsibility for two blasts in Algiers which killed more than 20 people ahead of elections.In April, an organisation called al-Qaeda in the Maghreb claimed responsibility for two blasts in Algiers which killed more than 20 people ahead of elections.
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, whose party won the polls, launched a programme of national reconciliation in 2005, following years of a violent Islamist insurgency.President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, whose party won the polls, launched a programme of national reconciliation in 2005, following years of a violent Islamist insurgency.