Morocco bombing linked to al-Qaeda Moroccan police struggled to restore calm to the tourist-dependent city Friday, even as authorities searched for clues in what they now suspect was a bold terrorist attack. The bomb was packed with nails and was set off remotely, most probably by a cellphone, Morocco's interior minister and security officials said Friday. The bomb appeared to have all the hallmarks of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Interior Minister Taieb Cherkaoui said, briefing the government in Rabat. “The manner reminds us of the style used generally by al-Qaeda,” he said. “And this leads us to think that there is a possibility of more dangers to come.” But there was no claim of responsibility Friday by al-Qaeda or any other group. Algerian oil and gas output fall in 2010 Algeria's output of crude oil and natural gas fell by 3.9 percent last year, the National Office of Statistics (ONS) announced Friday. Nevertheless the ONS said the energy sector put in a “good performance” with 5.6 growth overall, mainly due to 25.4 percent jump in refining of crude oil. Production of liquefied natural gas dropped by 12 percent, the ONS said in a report on industrial production. The mining and quarries sectors also declined, by 3.3 percent, mainly due to a fall in the production of raw stone, clay and sand and salt. The fall was also triggered by a 27 percent drop in the production of iron ore. By contrast, the extraction of phosphates and minerals grew by 43 percent and 11.9 percent respectively, after declines of 40.9 percent and 32.4 percent the previous year. Overall, industrial output in the national public sector fell by 2.6 percent in 2010. Besides energy, the wood and paper sector bucked the trend with a 14.8 percent gain. Hundreds of inmates escape Tunisian jail in fire Hundreds of inmates escaped on Friday from a jail in central Tunisia after a fire broke out in a cell, the state-run press agency TAP reported. Judicial authorities opened an inquiry on the circumstances surrounding the event to determine responsibilities, TAP said. In the days following the ouster of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, thousands of inmates escaped from most of the country's jails, causing a lasting security breech in the country. It took security forces weeks to recapture most of the runaway convicts, while hundreds, lured by the prospect of sentence reductions and amnesty for those charged with light sentences, surrendered to authorities. Libya: NATO Strikes Near TV Station During Gadhafi Speech Libya says NATO air forces bombed a site near the national broadcast offices early Saturday while Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was inside delivering an address to the nation. The government says the bombing shows allied forces are specifically targeting Mr. Gadhafi. In an hour-and-a-half long televised speech, the Libyan leader vowed he would not step down from power. He also addressed NATO countries involved in airstrikes in Libya, calling on them to negotiate an end to the conflict and to stop the bombings. Libya's conflict spilled beyond its borders Friday, as forces loyal to Mr. Gadhafi clashed with Tunisian soldiers after chasing rebel fighters across the frontier. The incursion drew a sharp reaction from Tunisian authorities, who summoned Libya's ambassador to protest. Sudan: Concern grows for civilians in Southern clashes A sharp rise in conflict in Southern Sudan is raising concerns for the safety of civilians and aid workers, less than three months to go before the formal independence of the fledgling nation, officials warn. Heavy fighting has killed more than 800 people and displaced 94,000 since southerners voted overwhelming for independence in January, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. However, a recent upsurge in violence between the Southern army and rebel groups has pushed the numbers to almost 1,000 dead and 100,000 displaced, say officials. “There has been heavy fighting in recent days,” said Malaak Ayuen, spokesman for the Southern Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). “In the past week [18-24 April] there were at least 100 killed in Unity state, and in Jonglei, over 60 were killed.” Thousands of civilians have fled the fighting in Unity, local officials say. BM
