Firemen tend to victims of a suicide car bomb which exploded near the prime minister's headquarters in central Algiers April 11, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

ALGIERS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Death toll rose to 23 in two bomb blasts hitting the Algerian capital Algiers on Wednesday morning, the official APS news agency reported.

    A total of 162 others were also wounded in the two blasts, the report added.

    "Twelve people were killed in the attack against the Government Palace, while 118 others were wounded," APS said, citing a new death toll released by the civil defense.

    In the attack against a police station of Bab Ezzouar east of Algiers, 11 people died and 44 were wounded, it added.

    According to Doha-based Al-Jazeera television, a people identifying himself as a member of Al-Qaida's branch in North Africa, claimed responsibility for the two bomb attacks in Algiers during a call to the TV.

    An earlier report said 17 people were killed and dozens more wounded when two explosions rocked the Algerian capital.

    One of the explosion rocked the Prime Minister's headquarters in central Algiers, killing nine people and another one at Bab Ezzouar on the city's eastern outskirts killed eight.

    Algerian Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem was unhurt in the attack, the report said.

    In response to the attacks, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa condemned the "terrorist blasts" and condoled with the families of those killed and injured in the explosions in Algeria, Egypt's MENA news agency reported.

According to Doha-based Al-Jazeera television, Al Qaida's wing in North Africa has claimed responsibility for two blasts in Algeria. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

According to Doha-based Al-Jazeera television, Al Qaida's wing in North Africa has claimed responsibility for two blasts in Algeria. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

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