Funr (FUNR)

[SharonB]

GSPC threatens US interests in North Africa



US information officials warned from the increasing threat on the US interests in North and Sub-Saharan Africa of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat GSPC activity after its affiliation to al-Qaeda. Even if armed groups cannot target the US territories they can easily assault the US interests in the region.
The British Guardian, the US Seattle Times, and Associated Press agency reported that US information organs officials expressed their concern as al-Qaeda armed attacks can be extended to include Western, Sub-Saharan Africa in addition to the Sahel region.
Warnings coincide with Assistant Secretary of State David Walsh statements before the congressional foreign affairs commission on June 6th stressing that the region is turning to a safe haven for al-Qaeda. He further made clear that the US policy is aiming at securing a safer and moderate Maghreb through social, political reforms by the realization of a shift in terms of economic growth and the setting up of a solid partnership in counter terrorism issues.
http://elkhabar.key4net.com/FrEn/lire.php?idc=52&ida=71592
At that link is a map of the Sahel region mentioned as a training area Al Qaeda terrorists during the conference on terrorism in North Africa that I posted about a short while ago.
Video(C-SPAN)on Recent Conference on Security Challenges in the Maghreb
http://maghrebcenter.org/eventssc.shtml
SharonB