(PARIS) - The French EU presidency firmly condemned a suicide bomb attack in Algeria that killed 43 people on Tuesday and expressed support for the Algiers government in its "fight against terrorism."

The attack on a police school at Issers, 60 kilometres (40 miles) east of Algiers, also wounded 45 people in the worst militant assault in Algeria this year.

The French EU presidency said in a statement that it "very firmly condemns the terrorist acts that have left many victims in Algeria.

"Once again, the Algerian people are victims of indiscriminate and barbaric terrorist attacks," it said.

"The presidency reaffirms its support to Algerian authorities in its fight against terrorism and stands alongside Algeria in these tragic circumstances."

France, the former colonial power in Algeria, holds the six-month rotating presidency of the 27-nation European Union until January 1.

President Nicolas Sarkozy separately said he condemned "with the greatest severity" the bomb attack and offered his condolences to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the victims' families and the "entire Algerian people."

He said France wanted to reassure Algeria of its "full solidarity and full support in its fight against terrorism."

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