Algerian rebels kill 93 in village atrocity

Algiers (AP) - An armed group massacred 93 Algerian villagers yesterday, including women and children, in the bloodiest such attack since the start of the Islamic insurgency five years ago, authorities said. The massacre was in the village of Haouch Mokfi, near Bougara, 12 miles from Algiers.

Members of a family who fled described the group as Islamic guerrillas who killed villagers because they refused to "collaborate." Armed groups depend for their survival on the aid of citizens who provide food, money and other necessities.

"We have no more to give. They've already taken everything," said a member of the family which arrived in the capital.

Village massacres around Algiers have become a prevalent form of violence since the start of the insurgency. The Haouch Mokfi massacre was the biggest single mass killing since the birth of the insurgency after the army cancelled 1992 legislative elections to thwart a victory by an Islamic fundamentalist party.

At least 60,000 people have been killed in the conflict. President Liamine Zeroual has scheduled the first legislative vote since then for 5 June.

The government statement, describing the massacre as "horrible", said a gang of criminals stormed Haouch Boukhelef-Khemisti farming community in Bougara district. "They (the victims) were savagely assassinated by knives by a gang of terrorists," said the statement, carried by state media. "The attack showed a savagery without any precedent," the government said, urging people to be vigilant and on their guard. Officials use the term "terrorist" or "criminal" to describe fundamentalists who have been fighting to topple the government for five years.