ALGIERS, Algeria (Reuters) — Algeria said Sunday it would try Algerian national Abdelmajid Dahoumane, whom the United States accuses of conspiring in a foiled terrorist plot to blow up several U.S. sites during millennium celebrations.

"According to the (Algerian) criminal law procedure, (Algeria) is competent to deal with crimes and offenses committed by Algerian nationals abroad," the state prosecutor said in a statement.

The prosecutor said Dahoumane faced charges of "belonging to and participating in terrorist groups and armed gangs, operating and enrollment in a foreign terrorist group as well as forgery and use of forgeries."

The United States has accused Dahoumane of conspiring with Algerian Ahmed Ressam, who is charged with bringing 130 pounds of bomb-making materials across the Canadian border.

Dahoumane, whom defence attorneys accuse of masterminding the plot, was recently arrested in Algeria. Algeria's official APS news agency reported his arrest on March 27, saying he had been detained on his return from Afghanistan, where he received training in the use of weapons and explosives.

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The Algerian prosecutor's statement did not say whether Dahoumane would be extradited to the U.S. to stand trial. Lawyers said the North African country has no extradition accord with the U.S.

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