TEHRAN, JAN 4: Iran has condemned the massacre of civilians in Algeria, and called on the Muslim world to end its ``indifference'' in the face of such ``odious crimes''.The official Iranian news agency IRNA quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Mohammadi yesterday as saying the ``world of Islam, especially in the auspicious month of Ramazan, should not remain indifferent towards such shocking events."He also said ``The continued torture and massacre of innocent women and children in Algeria by whatever side is condemnable and repugnant.'' The Iranian official added that the agents behind such ``suspicious crimes have remained unknown''.He also said ``the silence of international organisations'' in the face of such killing was ``justifiable''.A massacre on Tuesday night in Algeria left 78 dead by official count, but 412 dead by media estimates. Several groups of killers, armed with knives and axes, went to four villages in Relizane, and in a night-long gory orgy of violence, butchered women, men and children.Algeria has previously accused Iran of supporting armed Islamic opposition groups in Algeria, which it accuses of the massacres.Algeria broke relations with Iran in 1993. Killings have become an almost daily occurrence in Algeria where insurgency began six years ago when the military stopped the parliamentary polls just as the Islamic Salvation Front was poised for a win.More than 80,000 people have died in the country since 1992.France Info radio said on the latest carnage, ``Some of those who escaped spoke of unimaginable acts of barbarism''.Chronology of worst massacres in Algeria Here is a list of the worst massacres in Algeria till date. Unless stated otherwise, details come from recent Algerian newspapers.1997: April 22: Rebels hack to death 93 villagers, including young girls, and three children, in Bougara area, says government.July 29: Gunmen kill over 70 people in villages south of Algiers.August 2: Muslim guerrillas armed with swords and guns killed more than 80 villagers in hamlets south of Algiers in two attacks.August 5: Muslim rebels killed more than 100 civilians in a series of massacres in Bilda province, south of Algiers, over several days.August 26: Algerian newspapers said around 100 people killed in orgy of massacres in Benni Ali area, south of Algiers, over two nights.August 29: Muslim rebels kill 98 people, wound 120, mostly women and children, in Sidi Rais, near Sidi Moussa, Blida province.Sept 23: Muslim rebels kill at least 85, wound 67 overnight Monday-Tuesday in Baraki district, Algiers, official statement said. Residents said about 200 people had been slaughtered.Oct 4: At least 88 civilians killed in series of attacks over three days.Dec 20: At least 79 civilians die in three massacres, and bombing in Algeria.Dec 24: Authorities announce 59 people killed in two overnight massacres. Newspapers later put the toll, with other raids, at 90 dead, mostly women and children.Dec 30: Ninety-seven civilians die in attacks in Sidi Bel Abbes province, Medea area, Chlef and Djelfa regions.Dec 31: Authorities announce 78 dead, 73 wounded in December 30 massacres in Sahnine, Tayeb and Kherarba villages in western province of Relizane.1998: Jan 3: Liberte newspaper says true toll for December 31 triple killings was 412.
