Algeria tightens security after rebel bomb

ALGIERS, July 12 (Reuters) Police protecting the All Africa Games in Algeria set up additional roadblocks and mounted more patrols today after a bomb attack on an army barracks raised concerns for the security of ''Africa's Olympics''.

Police sought to reassure the 10,000 athletes and officials at the prestigious July 11-23 event after eight soldiers were killed in yesterday's attack, which was claimed by al Qaeda's north Africa wing.

The blast in Lakhdaria village, 120 km east of Algiers, happened a few hours before the Games' opening ceremony at a stadium in the capital and some athletes said they had been worried by the news.

''There is genuine concern in our camp and I have received inquiries from three radio stations after families called them asking about the safety of the kin here,'' said Tony Nezianya, spokesman for the 800-strong Nigeria team.

''We have raised those concerns with the organising committee and we have noticed that security has been raised to a reasonable level. We are thus not panicking but staying focused on the competition,'' he said.

A Kenyan sportsman asked: ''If a bomber can drive inside a military zone and kill soldiers, what would stop them coming here?'' Officials said the Games would proceed as normal, explaining that Algerian security forces were experienced at protecting civilians from Islamist rebel attacks.

''There is no cause for alarm,'' Games director general Yefsah Djaffer told Reuters.

RETURN TO PEACE Police chief Ali Tounsi, speaking about the security situation generally in the giant north African country, said the security forces were in firm control and a lingering 15-year-old rebellion by Islamist armed groups was almost at an end.

''The ordinary Algerian wants a return to total peace, and he will not be provoked by the provocations of the few remaining terrorists, who are in desperate straits,'' newspapers quoted him as saying.

At the sports venues and Games villages, long traffic queues formed as Gendarmerie Nationale officers carrying automatic rifles manned roadblocks and searched the engines and luggage compartments of every vehicle entering the villages.

Residents counted 20 roadblocks around Ben Aknoun University women's halls of residence and Ouled Faulet Games village in the outskirts of the capital.

Newspapers have said up to 8,000 police were on full alert in all the four Games venues -- Algiers, Tipasa, Boumerdes and Blida.

A member of the Kenyan delegation, Julius Mwangi, said measures taken by organisers were adequate, but feared the tight security might affect the cycling event.

''I am on my way to Tipasa, 70 km west of Algiers, and the presence of policemen along the road is worrying me. It may not augur well for the performance of cyclists,'' said Mwangi.

Reuters AM VV2256