Algeria Officially Safe - Partly
 

Maybe it's well known but I've just found out from saharatec that the UK FCO Travel Advice on Algeria has been revised, now stating that the Tassili and Hoggar regions are safe to visit (recent Arak attack apart).
If nothing else this should mean you have more chance of getting travel insurance, if you've had trouble before.

Chris S

------------------
Author of Sahara Overland and the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, among other things

http://www.sahara-overland.com

Also just in from Yves, they caught the Arak bandits:

"Two people from Tam and In Salah I contacted told me that the bandits from
the Arak incident had been idenified (and presumably been caught). They were
called to be "normal" people, not fundamentalists, from the In Salaha region
and well known by locals and the gendarmerie.
The contact in Tam mentioned that the tourist had contact with the bandits
some days before the ambush and were informed about the itinerary. In fact
they first attacked the tourist car and only then stopped local cars,
probably for logistical reasons (fuel!)."

Moral: as in Agadez, be careful who you talk to and tell of your route...

“Moral: as in Agadez, be careful who you talk to and tell of your route...”

*****

This is one of the basic traveler’s rules. Like this one; don’t show what is in your car or newer let to no one, to look in your, especially to the “official” guys. Or like this one; never leave your car from your sight.

gregor