Algeria: Fears for kidnapped Italian woman

AN ITALIAN woman tourist has been kidnapped by armed men in Algeria's Sahara desert.

Insurgents operating as al-Qaeda's north African wing have been active in the desert and have kidnapped several foreigners, but until now most of their activities have been south of Algeria's borders.

An Algerian security source had said earlier that the kidnappers were affiliated to al-Qaeda, but later said new information pointed to them being people involved in the local trade in drugs and contraband cigarettes.

"We are practically certain that these are smugglers," said the source. "The group will attempt immediately to get the hostage outside Algerian territory, probably towards Niger," he said.

Sahara smuggling rings often co-operate with al-Qaeda insurgents and in some cases have seized hostages and then handed them over to al-Qaeda.