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Algeria hostages: Intervention played down amid escape reports Algeria hostages: Intervention played down amid escape reports
(35 minutes later)
The possibility of Western intervention to release foreign nationals held by Islamist militants in Algeria has been played down by No 10, amid reports that a number of hostages have escaped.The possibility of Western intervention to release foreign nationals held by Islamist militants in Algeria has been played down by No 10, amid reports that a number of hostages have escaped.
The kidnappers occupied a gas facility in eastern of the country on Wednesday, after killing a Briton and an Algerian.The kidnappers occupied a gas facility in eastern of the country on Wednesday, after killing a Briton and an Algerian.
Number 10 said the UK would consider any requests for assistance from the Algerian government but so far it had received no such approach.Number 10 said the UK would consider any requests for assistance from the Algerian government but so far it had received no such approach.
Some Britons are among those captured.Some Britons are among those captured.
The other hostages are said to include Japanese, US, French and Norwegian nationals.The other hostages are said to include Japanese, US, French and Norwegian nationals.
A man from west Belfast travelling on a Republic of Ireland passport and a number of Scottish residents are reported to be among the UK citizens held. A number of Scots are among them, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond informed the Scottish Parliament after speaking to Prime Minister David Cameron.
A man from west Belfast travelling on a Republic of Ireland passport is also reported to be among those held.
According to Algerian media and officials a number of hostages have escaped the militants. Details of the escape and the numbers involved remain unclear, but some 30-40 Algerians and 15-20 foreign nationals were reported to be free.According to Algerian media and officials a number of hostages have escaped the militants. Details of the escape and the numbers involved remain unclear, but some 30-40 Algerians and 15-20 foreign nationals were reported to be free.
The Foreign Office was unable to confirm that any hostages had escaped.
In a statement, BP said: "The situation on site remains unresolved and fragile. Armed groups still occupy the site and hold a number of site personnel."In a statement, BP said: "The situation on site remains unresolved and fragile. Armed groups still occupy the site and hold a number of site personnel."
Cobra meeting
Meanwhile. David Cameron has chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra, to discuss the situation.Meanwhile. David Cameron has chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra, to discuss the situation.
The prime minister will chair a further Cobra discussion later and Number 10 says if necessary another meeting will take place on Friday morning in the Hague ahead of his speech on Europe.The prime minister will chair a further Cobra discussion later and Number 10 says if necessary another meeting will take place on Friday morning in the Hague ahead of his speech on Europe.
Meanwhile, he has spoken to his counterparts in Algeria, Norway and Japan. He has also spoken to his counterparts in Algeria, Norway and Japan.
It comes as Algerian troops surround the complex at In Amenas, operated by state oil company, Sonatrach, along with Britain's BP and Norway's Statoil. The prime minister's spokesman said the situation was "very serious and dangerous" but the government was "working through" the Algerians and BP, which part-controls the facility that was stormed.
In the meantime, Algerian troops surround the complex at In Amenas, operated by state oil company, Sonatrach, along with Britain's BP and Norway's Statoil.
Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kabila said the militants, who claimed they had seized 41 foreign workers, wanted to leave the country with the hostages, but he had refused to let them go.Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kabila said the militants, who claimed they had seized 41 foreign workers, wanted to leave the country with the hostages, but he had refused to let them go.
He said the kidnappers were Algerian and operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a senior commander in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) until late last year, when he set up his own armed group after apparently falling out with other leaders.He said the kidnappers were Algerian and operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a senior commander in al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) until late last year, when he set up his own armed group after apparently falling out with other leaders.
The prime minister's spokesman said the situation was "very serious and dangerous" but the government's "focus is on working through the Algerian government and the company".The prime minister's spokesman said the situation was "very serious and dangerous" but the government's "focus is on working through the Algerian government and the company".
A government source said: "This is a situation where the Algerian government, understandably, very much sees itself as in the lead in its sovereign territory."A government source said: "This is a situation where the Algerian government, understandably, very much sees itself as in the lead in its sovereign territory."