Algerians protest against attacks

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Thousands of people have taken part in peace rallies in Algeria after suicide bomb attacks in the past few days killed at least 50 people.

The biggest demonstration was in the capital, Algiers, where speakers denounced suicide attacks as being against Islam.

Members of Al Qaeda's north Africa wing say they carried out both bombings.

It is the third major suicide bombing this year. More than 30 people were killed in bombings in Algiers in April.

The crowd, which was made up mainly of women, chanted slogans such as "Terrorists are not Muslims" and "the Algerian people reject terrorism and support President Abdelaziz Bouteflika".

'United against terrorism'

At least 30 people were killed on Saturday when a truck packed with explosives drove into a naval barracks in the port of Dellys.

On Thursday, at least 20 people were killed in the town of Batna, south-east of Algiers, in a suicide bombing against a crowd of people waiting for a visit by the president.

Sunday's protest was organised by the Algerian Workers' General Union (UGTA). Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadim was among the participants.

"Algeria of 2007 is different from Algeria of the year 1997," UGTA chief Abdelmajid Sidi Said told Reuters agency, referring to a year in which hundreds of civilians were killed in attacks the government blamed on Islamist rebels.

"Algeria is united against terrorism. The period of the '90s is over," he said.

Conflict broke out in Algeria in 1992 after a general election won by an Islamist party was annulled, resulting in a bloody civil war in which more than 150,000 people died.