Algeria's police chief shot dead

Algiers, 26 Feb-(ANA)-The chief of Algeria's national police force, Ali Tounsi, has been shot dead in the capital, Algiers, officials say.

He was killed by a colleague during a regular morning meeting in the police headquarters in front of several witnesses, the interior ministry said.

The alleged killer was seized with what the ministry called an attack of madness and shot Col Tounsi before turning the gun on himself.

He was now in hospital with severe injuries, the ministry said.

A judicial inquiry into the circumstances of the shooting has been opened. There has been no indication of a link to Islamist militants, who have periodically attacked government targets.

Col Tounsi was one of Algeria's most powerful security officials and was closely involved in the country's fight against militants, analysts say. (ANA)

FA/ANA/26 February 2010-----