EU slams 'terrorist' bombing of Algeria military school

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union on Saturday denounced the suicide bombing at a military academy in Algeria that left 18 dead as a "cruel" act of terror.

"We are horrified by the cruel terrorist attack which hit the military academy in Cherchell killing eighteen people and injuring many more," EU chief diplomat Catherine Ashton and neighbourhood policy commissioner Stefan Fuele said in a joint statement.

"We strongly condemn this act of terror and extend our solidarity to the Algerian people and in particular to the friends and families of the victims," they said.

"Violence will be defeated and will not succeed in stopping Algeria on its path towards reforms. The EU is ready to develop further its cooperation with Algeria to support the reform agenda."

The Algerian defence ministry said Saturday that 16 officers and two civilians were killed and 26 others wounded in Friday's twin suicide attack west of Algiers.