ALGERIA LAUNCHES NEW OFFENSIVE AGAINST SALAFISTS

CAIRO [MENL] -- Algeria has launched a new military offensive to captureleaders of a major Islamic insurgency group. Arab diplomatic sources said the more than 5,000 troops, supported byhelicopters and artillery, have surrounded an area in the hills of theBaghata governorate about 300 kilometers east of Algiers. The sources saidthe area is believed to have been used for a conference by the leadership ofthe Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call. The group has been responsible forthe most lethal attacks against the military over the last two months.