Algerian officials say security forces have killed the leader of Algeria's most radical insurgent faction, the Armed Islamic Group.

Authorities say Antar Zouabri and two other members of the Armed Islamic Group, known as the GIA, died late Friday in a gunfight in Boufarik, south of the capital, Algiers. The bodies were displayed at army regional headquarters at Blida, 50 kilometers south of the capital.

Mr. Zouabri's body was identified through fingerprint records and by former comrades-in arms. Officials said weapons and subversive literature were found in the house where the men were staying.

The GIA is one of two militant groups blamed for many bloody massacres in Algeria during the past decade, as the government has struggled to control violent attacks by Islamic extremists.

The militants rejected an amnesty offered three years ago by the military-backed government of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who said he was trying to bring the country together.

Algeria's extremist uprising dates back to 1992, when the army canceled a national election that the Islamic Salvation Front was likely to win. Since then, nearly 150,000 people have been killed. Most of the victims have been civilians.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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