Despite positive signs that Algeria's security situation - which a few years ago was nothing less than a disaster - is stabilising, travel in the country still poses significant risks. The southeast, where in early 2003 several foreigners were abducted, should be avoided altogether.
Most acts of political violence occur in the north and are targeted against the government. There are occasional, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, mostly bomb raids on villages or vehicle-jackings. In the southeast, the risk of abduction is compounded by the presence of smugglers and bandits