Algeria threat risk high, U.S. says

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WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- Embassy personnel assigned to Algiers were placed under restrictions because of the threat of terrorism and kidnappings, the U.S. State Department said.

Algerians in October were called on by al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri to follow regional examples and rise up against their government.

The U.S. State Department, in a travel advisory, said terrorist attacks and kidnappings "occur regularly" in parts of Algeria. U.S. citizens living in the country are called on to stock up on emergency food and medical supplies in the event of an emergency.

"The U.S. government considers the potential threat to U.S. Embassy personnel assigned to Algiers sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under significant security restrictions," the warning read.

Algeria has elections for its legislative assembly Thursday. The State Department warned U.S. citizens to be wary of public demonstrations and political rallies ahead of the elections.

"Most political gatherings are peaceful, but they can turn violent without notice," the warning read.

U.N. officials said this week they were alarmed by some of the restrictions placed on political activity in the country.