Al-Qaida dissidents opposing attacks

ALGIERS, Algeria, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Disagreements within North Africa's al-Qaida movement over suicide attacks targeting civilians are hampering its operations, Algerian sources say.

Citing unnamed sources, Med Basin Newsline reported Wednesday the suicide bombing policy allegedly advocated by Abdul Malek Droukdel, chief of the al-Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, has drawn opposition from other members who want instead to seek approval from clerics for such actions.

The result of the dispute is that the al-Qaida network based in Algeria has been forced to reduce operations and that orders issued by Droukdel have been ignored by the dissidents, the news agency said.

Meanwhile, an unnamed Algerian security source quoted by Med Basin Newsline says al-Qaida is carrying out armed robberies to finance the insurgency.

The source said major robberies of government offices by the terrorist organization have netted millions of dollars, adding: "The robberies show a high degree of coordination and skill. We believe they are working with organized crime."