Algerian regional governor kidnapped by Al Qaida, sources say

Algiers: Kidnapped Algerian Regional Governor is being held by Al Qaida's North African branch, security sources have said.

Earlier it was reported armed men kidnapped the governor of an Algerian desert region and took him in the direction of the nearby border with Libya, Algeria's state news agency quoted the Interior Ministry as saying on Tuesday.

The kidnappers stopped a convoy carrying Mohammad Laid Khelfi, governor of the Illizi region, on Monday afternoon, took him hostage, and then headed towards the border, the APS news agency reported, citing a ministry statement.