Algerian security forces have killed a man who was planning to assassinate Algerian Prime Minister ‘Abd Al-‘Aziz Bouteflika.
The man was a member of Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb and was killed on Saturday in the Wahran province, according to the London-based Al-Hayyat.
He was planning a suicide attack that would target the president during a previously planned trip to the west part of the country.
Security forces were following the movements of 25-year-old Mahjoub Muhammad for four days before he was killed and concluded he was planning a “big operation.”
Security has recently been beefed up around the president because of concerns for his safety.
Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb is a reincarnation of the local Salafist Group for Call and Combat. It changed its name in January 2007, with the approval of international Al-Qa’ida.
The group has taken responsibility for several deadly attacks in Algeria over the past year.
Algeria is an important ally of the United States in its war against terrorism.