A North Africa lawmaker describes Belmoktar as one of the deadliest terrorists in U.S. . Belmoktar was killed during clashes in northwestern Abou Zeid , a spokesman says . He led a group associated with al Qaeda in the Algerian Maghreb . Belmoktar had said the attack was in retaliation for Algeria 's allowing France to use its airspace to battle Islamist militants in Mali . Belmoktar had claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on an Islamic gas facility .
A North Africa lawmaker describes Belmoktar as one of the deadliest terrorists in U.S. . Belmoktar was killed during clashes in northwestern Abou Zeid , a spokesman says . He led a group associated with al Qaeda in the Algerian Maghreb . Belmoktar had claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on an Islamic gas facility .