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Algiers blasts kill 10 UN staff Algiers bomb shatters UN office
(about 2 hours later)
The UN has confirmed 10 of its staff died in a double car bombing in the Algerian capital, Algiers, which killed at least 26 people and injured 177.The UN has confirmed 10 of its staff died in a double car bombing in the Algerian capital, Algiers, which killed at least 26 people and injured 177.
Medics believe as many as 62 people died when the devices went off near UN offices and government buildings. Medics believe up to 62 people died when the devices went off, shearing the facade off the UN refugee agency and hitting a government building.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the worst attack on the UN since 2003 "an abjectly, cowardly strike".Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the worst attack on the UN since 2003 "an abjectly, cowardly strike".
As rescuers dug through the rubble, Al-Qaeda's North Africa wing claimed the attacks on an Islamist website. Al-Qaeda's North Africa wing claimed responsibility on an Islamist website.
Map showing bomb blast locations Map showing bomb blast locations
Algerian television has reported that six people were pulled alive from the ruins of the UN offices.Algerian television has reported that six people were pulled alive from the ruins of the UN offices.
Missing staffMissing staff
"We now believe that the UN death toll is at 10," said UN spokeswoman Marie Okabe, adding that "a number of staff" were still missing."We now believe that the UN death toll is at 10," said UN spokeswoman Marie Okabe, adding that "a number of staff" were still missing.
This is of course a target for those that have a completely nihilist vision of today's world Antonio GuterresUN High Commissioner for Refugees In quotes: World reactionIn pictures: Algiers blastsAlgeria's shifting violenceThis is of course a target for those that have a completely nihilist vision of today's world Antonio GuterresUN High Commissioner for Refugees In quotes: World reactionIn pictures: Algiers blastsAlgeria's shifting violence
The offices of UN refugee agency and UN Development Programme were damaged in the attacks. The neighbouring office of the UN Development Programme was also damaged when the first car bomb went off at around 0930 (0830 GMT).
The blasts, which the government said injured at least 177 people, were the latest in a series of attacks in Algeria this year.
The facade of a UN office in the Hydra district was ripped off during the first blast at around 0930 (0830 GMT).
It was the deadliest attack on the UN since militants bombed its offices in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2003, killing 22 people.It was the deadliest attack on the UN since militants bombed its offices in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2003, killing 22 people.
At around the same time, an explosion ripped into a bus packed with students outside Algeria's Constitutional Council in the Ben Aknoun district.At around the same time, an explosion ripped into a bus packed with students outside Algeria's Constitutional Council in the Ben Aknoun district.
The body rules on the constitutionality of laws and supervises elections.The body rules on the constitutionality of laws and supervises elections.
'Infidels' den''Infidels' den'
In an unverified online statement, a group calling itself al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb said two vehicles packed with 800kg (1,700lb) of explosives each were used in the blasts.In an unverified online statement, a group calling itself al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb said two vehicles packed with 800kg (1,700lb) of explosives each were used in the blasts.
Witness: 'Everything fell'Profile: Al-Qaeda in N AfricaWitness: 'Everything fell'Profile: Al-Qaeda in N Africa
The group labelled the UN buildings an "international infidels' den" and said it had carried out the attacks to honour one of its senior militants, who died fighting Algerian troops.The group labelled the UN buildings an "international infidels' den" and said it had carried out the attacks to honour one of its senior militants, who died fighting Algerian troops.
It called on Western leaders to "heed the demands of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden".It called on Western leaders to "heed the demands of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden".
UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres said of the attack on his offices: "This is of course a target for those that have a completely nihilist vision of today's world." UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres said his office was "of course a target for those that have a completely nihilist vision of today's world".
Algerian Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni confirmed a suicide bomber was behind the blast which hit the UN offices.Algerian Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni confirmed a suicide bomber was behind the blast which hit the UN offices.
Violence upsurgeViolence upsurge
The UN secretary general led international condemnation of the attacks.The UN secretary general led international condemnation of the attacks.
ATTACKS IN ALGERIA IN 2007 11 December: twin car bombs kill at least 26 including 10 UN staff in Algiers 8 September: 32 die in bombing in Dellys claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb6 September: 22 die in bombing in Batna claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic MaghrebJuly: Suicide bomber targets barracks near Bouira, 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 AlgiersATTACKS IN ALGERIA IN 2007 11 December: twin car bombs kill at least 26 including 10 UN staff in Algiers 8 September: 32 die in bombing in Dellys claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb6 September: 22 die in bombing in Batna claimed by al-Qaeda in Islamic MaghrebJuly: Suicide bomber targets barracks near Bouira, 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
"This was an abjectly cowardly strike against civilian officials serving humanity's highest ideals," he said."This was an abjectly cowardly strike against civilian officials serving humanity's highest ideals," he said.
US President George W Bush condemned the attack "by these enemies of humanity" and French President Nicolas Sarkozy called the bombings "barbaric and cowardly".US President George W Bush condemned the attack "by these enemies of humanity" and French President Nicolas Sarkozy called the bombings "barbaric and cowardly".
Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, who visited the injured in hospitals, said nothing could "justify the crime".Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem, who visited the injured in hospitals, said nothing could "justify the crime".
There have been a series of bomb attacks across Algeria during the past year in which scores of people have died.There have been a series of bomb attacks across Algeria during the past year 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.
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.
Many of the recent blasts were also claimed by al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM), including a triple suicide bombing in Algiers in April which killed 33 people.Many of the recent blasts were also claimed by al-Qaeda in the Land of the Islamic Maghreb (AQLIM), including a triple suicide bombing in Algiers in April which killed 33 people.
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.
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