INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS:

Algerian forces took custody on Friday of a man believed to be one of North Africa’s most powerful Islamic terrorists in a highly unusual multinational operation deep in the desert of Niger, according to an official from one of the countries involved. . . .

Germany paid Mr. Saifi nearly $6 million in ransom for the hostages’ release, American and Algerian officials say. He is reported to have used the money to recruit fighters and buy weapons for the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, which is fighting to establish an Islamic state in Algeria. [Thanks, Germany! Jeez. . . .]

In March, Chadian rebels captured 17 members of the group after a battle near the border with Niger. Mr. Saifi is believed to be among those captured.

The rebel organization, the Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad, approached the United States and other countries involved in the American-led campaign against terrorism in hopes of delivering the prisoners and reaping a political benefit from its good deed.

There seems to be a lot of interesting stuff going on in the Sahara.