Smaine Lamari
| Smain Lamari | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Smain Lamari |
| Born | June 14, 1941 El Harrach, Algeria |
| Died | August 28, 2007 |
| Allegiance |
 Algeria
|
| Service/branch | Algerian People's Army |
| Years of service | 1959 - 2007 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Unit | 8th Infantry Regiment |
Major General Smain Lamari (Arabic: إسماعيل العماري, 1941 – August 28, 2007) was the head of an Algerian intelligence service, the Department of Counter-Espionage and Internal Security. Along with Generals Mohamed Lamari (unrelated to him), Khaled Nezzar, Larbi Belkheir and "Toufik" Médiène, he was one of the influential Algerian Generals. Lamari was close to Larbi Belkheir, now ambassador in Morocco. Lamari died from a heart attack, and was buried in the Cemetery El Alia reserved for Algerian personalities, in presence of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Born in Ain Bessam (Algeria) in 1941, the son of a taxi-driver from the Titteri region, he quit high school to join the National Liberation Army during the Algerian War of Independence (reportedly in 1959). After a brief period in the police and marines, he spent most of his career in various Algerian intelligence services – the SM, DGPS and DRS. His photo was never published in the Algerian press — the only photo available of Lamari was published by the MAOL opposition group (Algerian Free Officers' Movement). In 1991, he ordered the arrest of Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) members Abassi Madani and Ali Benhadj.
Lamari was one of the Generals, along with Mohamed Touati, who forced President Chadli Bendjedid to resign in January 1992, and who cancelled the legislative election won by the FIS. During the Algerian Civil War, he became head of the Department of Counter-Espionage and Internal Security (DSI). He was in charge of secret operations against Islamist guerrillas and counter-espionage — a post which he occupied until his death, untouched by changes of government or reshuffles. In this capacity, he played a major part in infiltrating guerrilla organisations, especially the Armed Islamic Groups (GIA), and liaising with the French security services. According to Mohammed Samraoui, a former officer, Lamari declared, in May 1992, before several officers: "I am ready to eliminate three million of Algerians if necessary to maintain the order threatened by the Islamists.".
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