Algeria arrests seven Libyans over al-Qaida suspicions

Algerian security forces have arrested seven Libyans on suspicion of links to al-Qaida's North African wing, local el-Khabar newspaper reported Tuesday.

The group was arrested over the past 15 days, and has since been under questioning over their connection to Al-Qaida in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the report said, quoting, what it said, reliable security sources.

Initial investigations showed that the seven came to Algeria to join the terrorist organization, the sources said.

The paper said that a Libyan official is expected to arrive in Algiers within days to follow up the case and discuss with Algerian officials the possibility of extraditing the suspects to Libya.

Algeria and Libya signed an extradition agreement in 2007, under which both countries have exchanged a number of detainees from both sides, the report said.

Algerians have faced an increasing threat by Islamist militants since the 1990s. The security forces have recently launched massive military operations against pro-al-Qaida groups, including the AQIM.

Source: Xinhua