Algiers/Paris  - Seven security guards were killed early Thursday by a group of suspected Islamic extremists near the eastern city of Tizi Ouzou, local security sources said.

The victims were Algerians working for a company charged with guarding the waterworks site belonging to the Canadian public works company SNC Lavalin.

The men, all residents of the same village, were reportedly shot to death while traveling to work on a small lorry. (dpa)