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Tuesday, Jan 22, 2013 5:16 PM UTC

Pentagon: AQ ally is top suspect in Algeria attack

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Topics: From the Wires, ,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pentagon press secretary George Little is stopping short of saying al-Qaida’s North Africa affiliate is definitely to blame for the deadly Algeria terrorist attack, but he says it is “at the top of the list of suspects.”

Little told reporters Tuesday there are what he called “strong indications” that al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, had a hand in the assault on an Algerian natural gas plant that left dozens of hostages and militants dead.

Pressed for details, Little declined to say what information the U.S. has to support its suspicions.

The State Department has not definitively declared that AQIM was responsible for the attack, but it has suggested the group played a leading role. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has blamed the broader al-Qaida network.

By Robert Burns

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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