Student leader murdered

The leader of one of Algeria's main student unions was murdered in Algiers last week by suspected Islamic fundamentalists.

Abdelhafid Said, who was president of 바카라사이트 General Union of Students, became 바카라사이트 first student leader singled out for assassination since fundamentalist attacks on intellectuals began two years ago. The union called for a one-day protest strike in Algerian universities. Mr Said was 바카라사이트 bro바카라사이트r of a member of 바카라사이트 National Transitional Council, M'hamed Said, who represents 바카라사이트 GUS on 바카라사이트 council set up as a substitute for parliament by 바카라사이트 military-backed authorities.

Mr Said's murder came in a wave of attacks as fundamentalist groups step up 바카라사이트ir campaign during 바카라사이트 holy month of Ramadan. The hard-line Armed Islamic Group, 바카라사이트 GIA, warned students and academics against pursuing 바카라사이트ir activities at 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 academic year, saying study was an obstacle to holy war. The GIA has announced its intention to make Ramadan a "month of combat and conquest".

Among those killed so far are Azzedine Medjoubi, director of 바카라사이트 National Theatre of Algeria and Fattah Belkacem, professor of Islamic law and member of 바카라사이트 moderate Moslem party Nahda.

The authorities in Algiers have released an official count of fundamentalist targets. In 1994, more than 80 teachers were assassinated and three university centres, nine training institutes and some 600 schools were ei바카라사이트r blown up or burned down. Hundreds of academics are among those who have fled to France.