A car rammed a police station in Algeria today killing four policemen and injuring 20 people, according to state radio.
Al Qaeda's north African wing said the Toyota laden with at least 500 kg (1100 lbs) of explosives was driven by one of its members, according to a recorded statement aired by Al Arabiya television.
The blast left a crater three metres wide, wrecked the outside of the building and damaged nearby homes, shops and a cafe in the town of Naciria, about 75 miles east of Algiers.
It was the first major attack in Algeria since a double bombing in the capital Algiers killed at least 37 people on December 11th, including 17 United Nations staff.