The Algerian government has announced it will arm residents of remote areas to help them fight Islamist militants.
Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia said the decision was made by the defence minister but would be carried out by his ministry.
He said civilians in some areas had asked for weapons “to fight terrorism”.
A North African branch of al-Qaeda is active in Algeria and nearby countries, and has carried out a number of attacks and kidnappings recently.