Paris, 4 March {No. 96-41}- UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor today deplored the assassination of an Algerian television official.

The body of Belgacem Saadi, 40, director of the photographic unit of Algerian state television in Skikda, a town in eastern Algeria, was found Saturday, according to media reports.

"Today we mourn again as we add the name of Belgacem Saadi to the ever-growing list of journalists, intellectuals, teachers, students and other innocent victims who have been brutally murdered in Algeria since May 1993," Mr Mayor said. "Again, I plead with all those who resort to violence to lay down their arms. We must find a solution based on dialogue that will lead to reconciliation and peace."