Algiers - A popular Algerian "rai" singer Lounes Matoub was killed yesterday "by a terrorist group" near his home village in the Kabylie region, police said. Hours earlier a group slit the throats of 17 civilians in an isolated village.
Matoub had publicly denounced Muslim fundamentalist violence.
President Chirac of France paid tribute to Matoub, saying he had a very beautiful voice and he heard of his death "with dismay, very deep sadness".
