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| Explosions rock Algerian capital | Explosions rock Algerian capital |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least 17 people have been killed after at least two blasts rocked Algeria's capital - one exploding near the prime minister's office. | At least 17 people have been killed after at least two blasts rocked Algeria's capital - one exploding near the prime minister's office. |
| Nine people died and at least 32 were injured in a car bombing outside the government buildings in Algiers. | Nine people died and at least 32 were injured in a car bombing outside the government buildings in Algiers. |
| Another explosion hit a police station in the east, near the airport, killing eight people and wounding at least 50. | Another explosion hit a police station in the east, near the airport, killing eight people and wounding at least 50. |
| Unharmed by the blast, Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem called the attacks a "cowardly and criminal act". | Unharmed by the blast, Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem called the attacks a "cowardly and criminal act". |
| No group has yet admitted carrying out the attacks. | No group has yet admitted carrying out the attacks. |
| 'Cowardice and betrayal' | 'Cowardice and betrayal' |
| Violent attacks have been increasing in Algeria since the main Islamist rebel group, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), changed its name to the al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb in January. | Violent attacks have been increasing in Algeria since the main Islamist rebel group, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), changed its name to the al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb in January. |
| This is a crime, a cowardly act. It can only be described as cowardice and betrayal Abdelaziz BelkhademAlgerian Prime Minister class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6545579.stm">In pictures: Algerian blasts | |
| The city centre explosion was so loud it could be heard up to 10km (six miles) away, residents said. | The city centre explosion was so loud it could be heard up to 10km (six miles) away, residents said. |
| Government employees were injured by flying glass and debris, which spread up to 300m from the site of the blasts. | Government employees were injured by flying glass and debris, which spread up to 300m from the site of the blasts. |
| Ambulances went to the scene and police blocked entry to the prime minister's office, which also houses the offices of the interior minister. | Ambulances went to the scene and police blocked entry to the prime minister's office, which also houses the offices of the interior minister. |
| The police station attack happened in the eastern suburb of Bab Ezzouar. | The police station attack happened in the eastern suburb of Bab Ezzouar. |
| Speaking on Algerian radio, Mr Belkhadem denounced the bombings, which come as the government is working towards national reconciliation. | Speaking on Algerian radio, Mr Belkhadem denounced the bombings, which come as the government is working towards national reconciliation. |
| "This is a crime, a cowardly act. It can only be described as cowardice and betrayal," Mr Belkhadem said. | "This is a crime, a cowardly act. It can only be described as cowardice and betrayal," Mr Belkhadem said. |
| In February, GSPC carried out a series of bomb attacks on police stations - but the BBC's Middle East analyst, Roger Hardy, says car bombings in the capital itself have become rare. | |
| He says the Algerian government has prided itself on the fact that the vicious killings of the mid-1990s - the product of a brutal war between the security forces and a variety of armed Islamist groups - are now a thing of the past. | |
| That violence began when the army took power and cancelled elections which an Islamist opposition group was poised to win. | |
| Our correspondent says analysts believe the GSPC has a more ambitious agenda and is building up networks in neighbouring Morocco and Tunisia - as well as among Muslim militants in Europe. | |
| Last August, Algeria offered Islamist militants a six-month amnesty on condition of surrender. | Last August, Algeria offered Islamist militants a six-month amnesty on condition of surrender. |
Are you in the region? If you have any information you'd like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. | Are you in the region? If you have any information you'd like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 0044 7725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 0044 7725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |