(Washington, DC) -- Attacks by al-Qaeda's North African wing on Europe aren't as likely now.

A U.S. counter-terrorism official says that's because the extremist group is being pressured by Algerian security forces.

Daniel Benjamin told a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee terrorist violence is "less likely than it was just a few years ago." He said Algerian security forces have broken up extremist cells and disrupted operations.

Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson advised the lawmakers that the U.S. should support the fight against terrorism rather than playing the point.

　

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