Al-Qaida 'has nothing to do' with Algeria

ALGIERS, Algeria, July 6 (UPI) -- Al-Qaida is no longer directing the movements of its former affiliates in Algeria, who are moving to reconcile with the national government, leaders say.

Hassan Hattab, the former leader of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, or GSPC, denied the existence of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, saying there was no direct correlation between his group and the transnational terrorist group.

"Al-Qaida has nothing to do with the GSPC as there is no direct coordination between them nor does al-Qaida give instructions to the GSPC," he told Algerian newspaper the Daily Dawn.

Hattab said his GSPC had laid down its weapons in 2003, coordinating with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on a reconciliation process.

"We followed and studied President Bouteflika's speeches," he said. "When we were sure he was sincere, we decided to support his policy to reach satisfactory results."

Hattab also called on militants who were still conducting operations in Algeria to abandon their fight and take advantage of the opportunity to join civil society.

"The government opened the door for reconciliation and allowed everyone to stop the armed acts," he said. "They should seize the opportunity and come back to their society."