November 16, 2003

Since the month long Islamic holy month  of Ramadan began on October 27, 27 rebels have died. The kidnapping of tourists in the southern desert earlier this year has largely eliminated the tourist business in that part of the country. The army operations against the rebels have forced many of them to flee the country, often to France and other European countries. The rebels, who are Islamic radicals, often become part of al Qaeda cells overseas.