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| Deadly blasts in Algerian capital | Deadly blasts in Algerian capital |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| At least 45 people have died in two bomb blasts in the Algerian capital, Algiers, officials have said. | At least 45 people have died in two bomb blasts in the Algerian capital, Algiers, officials have said. |
| The first explosion is reported to have happened in the central El Biar area, near the constitutional court. | |
| That was followed shortly afterwards by a second blast at the United Nations offices in the Hydra neighbourhood. | That was followed shortly afterwards by a second blast at the United Nations offices in the Hydra neighbourhood. |
| A UN worker caught up in the Hydra attack told the BBC that part of the building was destroyed and it was feared people were trapped. | A UN worker caught up in the Hydra attack told the BBC that part of the building was destroyed and it was feared people were trapped. |
| Dozens were wounded in the blasts, officials say. | Dozens were wounded in the blasts, officials say. |
| College bus hit | |
| The UN confirmed that its offices had been hit, saying that some of its staff had been injured. | |
| In the other attack, near the constitutional court, a group of students travelling on a college bus were among the casualties, local media reports. | |
| Algerian Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni said the explosions had been caused by two car bombs. | Algerian Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni said the explosions had been caused by two car bombs. |
| "The death toll is very high," Mr Zerhouni said without giving a precise figure. | "The death toll is very high," Mr Zerhouni said without giving a precise figure. |
| There has been no immediate claim of responsibility. | There has been no immediate claim of responsibility. |
| Throughout 2007 there have been a series of bomb attacks across Algeria in which scores of people have died. | Throughout 2007 there have been a series of bomb attacks across Algeria in which scores of people have died. |
| In September more than 50 people were killed in suicide attacks - one of them involved a truck packed with explosives being driven into a coast guard base. | In September more than 50 people were killed in suicide attacks - one of them involved a truck packed with explosives being driven into a coast guard base. |
| Al-Qaeda link? | Al-Qaeda link? |
| Members of the public have recently held rallies in protest at the upsurge in violence. | Members of the public have recently held rallies in protest at the upsurge in violence. |
| VIOLENCE IN 2007 September: Al-Qaeda leader urges North Africa's Muslims to ''cleanse'' the land of WesternersSeptember: At least 50 die bombings claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic MaghrebJuly: Suicide bomber targets barracks, killing nineMay: Dozens killed in run-up to elections, in fighting between military and militantsApril: 33 killed in Algiers in attacks claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic MaghrebMarch: Three Algerians and a Russian killed in attack on gas pipeline workersFebruary: Seven bombs kill six east of Algiers | VIOLENCE IN 2007 September: Al-Qaeda leader urges North Africa's Muslims to ''cleanse'' the land of WesternersSeptember: At least 50 die bombings claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic MaghrebJuly: Suicide bomber targets barracks, killing nineMay: Dozens killed in run-up to elections, in fighting between military and militantsApril: 33 killed in Algiers in attacks claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic MaghrebMarch: Three Algerians and a Russian killed in attack on gas pipeline workersFebruary: Seven bombs kill six east of Algiers |
| Many of the recent blasts have been claimed by members of al-Qaeda's North Africa wing, calling themselves al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, including a triple suicide in Algiers in April which killed 33 people. | Many of the recent blasts have been claimed by members of al-Qaeda's North Africa wing, calling themselves al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, including a triple suicide in Algiers in April which killed 33 people. |
| The militant group was previously known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) but changed its name when it joined forces with al-Qaeda last year. | The militant group was previously known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) but changed its name when it joined forces with al-Qaeda last year. |
| The BBC's regional analyst Roger Hardy says it is unclear how far the group really is linked to Osama Bin Laden's organisation and how far it is merely inspired by it. | The BBC's regional analyst Roger Hardy says it is unclear how far the group really is linked to Osama Bin Laden's organisation and how far it is merely inspired by it. |
| What is worrying Western experts and North African governments is the possibility that radical Islamists in the region no longer have a merely local agenda but are linked to a wider web of international networks. | What is worrying Western experts and North African governments is the possibility that radical Islamists in the region no longer have a merely local agenda but are linked to a wider web of international networks. |
| Algeria suffered a brutal and bloody civil war in the 1990s, but in recent years violence had declined. | Algeria suffered a brutal and bloody civil war in the 1990s, but in recent years violence had declined. |
Did you witness the explosions or are you in the area? Use the form below to send us your accounts, some of which may be published. | Did you witness the explosions or are you in the area? Use the form below to send us your accounts, some of which may be published. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| If you have a large file you can upload here. | If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |