ALGIERS, Algeria: The original head of Algeria's main Islamic insurgency movement, now aligned with al-Qaida, plans to turn himself in to authorities as part of an amnesty program, the daily Liberte reported Tuesday.

Hassan Hattab, deposed in 2001 as leader of the Salafist Group for Call and Combat, or GSPC, plans to turn himself in with about 100 comrades, the paper reported, citing a statement from Hattab dated December 27th.

It was not possible to verify the accuracy of the report. Hattab's whereabouts have been unknown since he was ousted as leader in an internal dispute within the increasingly violent movement he helped found in 1998. At one point, he was reported killed.

Liberte quoted Hattab's statement as praising President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's effort to reconcile this North African nation, divided by an Islamic insurgency that began in 1992 and has killed an estimated 150,000 people, including security forces, Islamic fighters and civilians. Sporadic violence attributed to the GSPC continues, but cities and towns are mainly now safe.

"We hope the president will see through his project to rally together brothers around the same goal aimed at assuring the safety and stability of the country for all," Liberte quoted the statement as saying.

While Hattab is no longer an important player in the insurgency, his return to civilian life could be a significant symbol for Bouteflika. The amnesty officially expired August 31st, but it was unlikely that Hattab would not be allowed to profit. Authorities have reportedly been negotiating with him to accept the amnesty.

Algerians overwhelmingly approved the president's Charter for Peace and National Reconciliation in a referendum in September 2005. It was the second installment of an amnesty plan that has lured thousands of Islamic insurgents back home and freed others from prison. Exact numbers were not available.

Hattab was a founder of the GSPC in 1998, breaking away from the radical Armed Islamic Group, which was blamed for village massacres. Under his rule, the GSPC targeted official workers, such as soldiers. In an internal dispute, he was ousted as chief and succeeded by Nabil Sahraoui, who declared allegiance to al-Qaida before being killed in 2004 by security forces.

In September, al-Qaida's No. 2, Ayman al-Zawahri, announced the "blessed union" with the GSPC in a video posted on the Internet to mark the fifth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. The Algerian movement is now under the leadership of Abdelmalek Dourkdel.

Ousted founder of Islamic insurgency movement reported ready to accept amnesty