French President Nicolas Sarkozy praised Tunisia for its fight against Islamic extremists adding that it is a laboratory for an open Arabo-Muslim society that respects its identity. Sarkozy’s comments received criticism from human rights groups like the Tunisan Association of Democratic Women. Its spokesperson, Khadija Cherif, explained she was disappointed Sarkozy had given priority to…
Kidnappers repeat their call for freeing Islamists held in Algeria, Tunisia in exchange for Austrians’ freedom. Austria vowed Monday to press on with efforts to free two nationals seized by an Al-Qaeda group in north Africa, while the kidnappers were said to have extended a deal-making deadline into next month. “It is an additional extension…
Al Qaeda’s North African wing said on Thursday it had given Austria three days to secure the release of some of its members held in Algeria and Tunisia in return for two Austrian hostages it was holding. The group said in a statement posted on an Islamist Web site that it had informed the Austrian…
One of the largest mosques in France will soon find a home in the southern port city of Marseille, serving over 2,000 worshippers. The city’s mayor symbolically handed over the mosque’s key to Nordine Cheikh, commencing the start of renovation initiative. The mosque is expected to cost around eight million euro. Cheikh, the president of…
France has given Algeria details of where its forces laid some three million landmines half a century ago. Put in place to prevent independence fighters from infiltrating the then French colony, the mines remain nestled along Algeria’s borders with Morocco and Tunisia. French officials state the move as a gesture to improve French-Algerian diplomatic ties.
