GSPC in Algeria Announces New Name: "Al-Qaida in the Land of the Islamic Maghrib"

By Evan Kohlmann

The Algerian Salafist Group for Prayer and Combat (GSPC) has issued a new statement today officially announcing a change in name for the group to "Al-Qaida in the Land of the Islamic Maghrib." According to the statement, the decision to adopt the Al-Qaida moniker was made "as an indication of the group's vibrancy, the strength of its coalition [with Usama Bin Laden], and the sincerity of the link between the mujahideen in Algeria, and other brothers from the Al-Qaida organization." On September 14, 2006, the GSPC declared its initial intention to merge with Al-Qaida, but continued unabated in using its traditional name. In its latest statement, the group explained, "we were cautious about this matter from the first day of the merger" and added that the final decision to name themselves Al-Qaida came only after "consultations with Shaykh Usama [Bin Laden], may God preserve him... and his consent."

See also: Speech from GSPC Commander in Algeria: "We are Coming"

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