AQIM Begins Offensive Ahead Of Algerian Elections

CAIRO [MENL] -- Al Qaida has launched an offensive in an attempt to disrupt
presidential elections in Algeria.
Algerian security sources said the Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic
Maghreb has begun major attacks in several provinces of the North African
state. The sources said the attacks were targeting Algerian military and
police officers in an attempt to block or mar elections scheduled for April
2009.
"We have been expecting this for awhile," a security source said.