The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Algiers

A double bomb attack in the town of Lakhdaria, east of Algiers, killed 12 people, including several members of the security forces, a French engineer and his driver, security sources said Sunday.

The car carrying the engineer hit the device as it left the worksite of a French company for which he was working, mortally wounding him. The other victims, including several members of the civil protection force, were caught in a second blast as they ran to help the engineer and his driver, said the sources.

The engineer was working for a company maintaining the rails near the station of Beni Amrane.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned the attacks in a message of solidarity and condolence to Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika late Sunday.

Sarkozy "condemned unequivocally the blind and barbaric violence that the Algerian people continue to suffer" and offered "unwavering support in the determined struggle against terrorism."

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner voiced "disgust" over the attack.

"I want to express my feeling of disgust and my absolute condemnation of this blind terrorist violence that nothing can justify," said a statement issued late Sunday.

Kouchner said his thoughts were with the families and loved ones of the victims, as well as with the people of Algeria and the authorities "who are fighting with courage and determination the scourge of terrorism.