Algeria ARMY TROOPS surround ISLAMIST MILITANT hostage-takers at OCCUPIED GAS Facility

	Algeria ARMY TROOPS surround ISLAMIST MILITANT hostage-takers at OCCUPIED GAS Facility Algerian troops have surrounded a gas facility in the east of the country where foreign workers are being held hostage by Islamist militants. The kidnappers occupied the complex near In Amenas on Wednesday, after killing a Briton and an Algerian. Algeria says some 20 foreign nationals are being held hostage, although the kidnappers say they have 41. Algerian media said a number of workers had escaped from the facility on Thursday. The foreign nationals held captive include British, Japanese, US, French and Norwegian. Spokesmen for the militants say they have issued a list of demands. One statement purported to be from the hostage-takers called for an end to the French military intervention against Islamist rebels in Mali. BP, which operates the gas field jointly with Algerian state oil company Sonatrach and Norwegian firm Statoil, issued a statement on Thursday confirming that some of its staff were being held but saying that it would not be releasing any details. Border closed Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia said the militants wanted to leave the country with the hostages, but he had refused to let them go. "We reject all negotiations with the group," he told reporters late on Wednesday. An Algerian security official told Associated Press the Algerian government was discussing with the US and France whether an international force could help end the stand-off. Algerian media said that between 30 and 40 Algerian workers had escaped from the Tigantourine <b>...</b>	From: WYNKnews Views: 3 0 ratings
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