Jihadists chief behind Tunisia attack killed

Tunisia said it killed the leader of the jihadists accused of organising the massacre at its national museum, as thousands took to the streets yesterday in a march against extremism.

Authorities said Lokmane Abou Sakhr -- an Algerian who was singled out as the organiser of the museum attack -- was killed along with at least eight others from the notorious Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade.

Officials had accused Abou Sakhr and his group of organising the attack on the Bardo Museum that left 21 foreign tourists dead, despite a claim of responsibility from the Islamic State group.

Tunisian forces "were able yesterday (Saturday) to kill the most important members of the Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade including its head Lokmane Abou Sakhr," Prime Minister Habib Essid told reporters.

Authorities say Okba Ibn Nafaa has been behind a series of attacks on security forces that have left some 60 dead since late 2012.