The U.S. Embassy in Algiers has issued a warning to Americans traveling in Algeria that many areas of the country pose a significant security risk.
In its message Friday, the embassy urged U.S. citizens in the country to evaluate their personal safety carefully.
Al-Qaida's North African wing claimed credit for a suicide car bombing in Algiers in December that killed at least 37 people, including 17 U.N. staff members.
Another bombing this month at a police station east of Algiers killed four policemen and wounded 20 other people.
U.S. officials have limited movements by embassy personnel. American travelers are advised to avoid places where Westerners are known to congregate and to take other safety precautions.
Algerian Islamists began an uprising in 1992 after the government canceled elections that an Islamic party was poised to win. Some militants allied themselves with al-Qaida in late 2006 and began carrying out larger-scale bombings and targeting foreigners.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.