DUBAI, Aug 16 (AFP) - The Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) has called on Muslims residing in France to attack Algerian military and civilian officials in France, according to a statement dated August 1. "We call on our brothers in Islam residing in France ... to track down ... the gang of criminals and apostates... who have found a safe haven in this country," said the GSPC, the only armed Algerian group deemed a real threat.
The GSPC, which has links to the al-Qaeda Islamist terror network, said "our real enemies are not only the (Algerian) military officials, but also the many civilians who are known for their complete allegiance to French leaders. "They are the ones who have great influence at the top of the pyramid of power (in Algeria)... as they control Algerian administrations, media outlets, large companies, cultural institutions and various diplomatic missions." "Are you going to let them rest in France, where they spend their holidays ... before returning (to Algeria) with a new breath to plot against Islam and fight the faithful?" it said. The group urged Muslims in France to track down Algerian officials visiting the country particularly "in nightclubs, cabarets, alcohol shops ... because they only live in vice." |