Al-Qaida's branch in North Africa has claimed responsibility for car bombings in the Algerian capital that killed at least 24 people and wounded more than 200.
The "al-Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb" posted a statement on the Internet claiming responsibility. The group published photos of what it said were three suicide bombers responsible for the Wednesday blasts.
Its claim could not be independently confirmed.
The bombs exploded on Wednesday outside the office of Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem in central Algiers, and at a police station in the Bab Ezzouar district in the capital's eastern outskirts.
The prime minister, who was not harmed, called the attacks a criminal and cowardly act.
The United States and Algeria's former colonial power, France, condemned the attacks.
France's Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said he was horrified by the bombings. He assured Algerian authorities of France's solidarity in Algeria's fight against terrorism.
A U.S. State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack called the attacks a "despicable act of terrorism."
The al-Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, has claimed responsibility for other recent bombings in Algeria.
Last month, the group bombed a bus carrying employees of a Russian firm, killing one Russian and three Algerians. In December, two people died in a bomb attack on a bus carrying employees of an affiliate of the U.S. corporation, Halliburton.
The "al-Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb" posted a statement on the Internet claiming responsibility. The group published photos of what it said were three suicide bombers responsible for the Wednesday blasts.
Its claim could not be independently confirmed.
The bombs exploded on Wednesday outside the office of Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem in central Algiers, and at a police station in the Bab Ezzouar district in the capital's eastern outskirts.
The prime minister, who was not harmed, called the attacks a criminal and cowardly act.
The United States and Algeria's former colonial power, France, condemned the attacks.
France's Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said he was horrified by the bombings. He assured Algerian authorities of France's solidarity in Algeria's fight against terrorism.
A U.S. State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack called the attacks a "despicable act of terrorism."
The al-Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, has claimed responsibility for other recent bombings in Algeria.
Last month, the group bombed a bus carrying employees of a Russian firm, killing one Russian and three Algerians. In December, two people died in a bomb attack on a bus carrying employees of an affiliate of the U.S. corporation, Halliburton.