ALGIERS, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Algerian Defense Ministry on Sunday said a terrorist laid down his arm to military authorities in the southernmost province of Tamenrasset near the border with Mali.
The source noted that "a terrorist nicknamed Naji Abderrahman surrendered to military authorities in Tamenrasset province, having a Kalashnikov machine gun."
The Defense Ministry specified that the surrendered militant joined terrorist camps in 2012.
The North African nation has also deployed tens of thousands of troops on the southern and eastern borderline, in a bid to thwart the intrusion of terrorists and arms amid instability in neighboring Mali and Libya.
Safe routes along the southern border of Algeria have been opened in a bid to encourage Algerian militants who joined terrorist groups in the Sahel region to lay down arms in exchange of fair trials.
