Security forces killed a man described as the military adviser to the head of an al Qaida affiliate in Algeria in an assault on a mountain hide-out, it was reported.

Spanish police have arrested the alleged leader of two cells suspected of recruiting fighters for the Iraqi insurgency before being broken up this week.

At least 17 people were injured, one seriously, when a four-story apartment building in north-eastern collapsed early today Spain after an apparent gas explosion, officials said.