No Confirmation Of Beheadings

The Algerian government said Saturday it could not confirm reports that rebels had beheaded seven French monks they kidnapped in March.

In their first comment on the reported killings, Algerian officials said security forces continue to search for the monks and their captors.

The Armed Islamic Group, Algeria’s most militant armed faction, said Thursday it had beheaded the Trappist monks because France refused to free jailed comrades.

Monsignor Joseph Duval, president of the French Bishops Conference, refused to urge the remaining French monks, priests and nuns in Algeria to leave.

“They know what they have to do, they know what their mission is,” he said.