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Cameron to hold Cobra meeting over Algeria military op Algeria operation: Northern Ireland hostage freed
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron is to hold another Cobra meeting later, as an Algerian military operation to free hostages held in the east of the country continues. A Northern Irish man is free - as well, reportedly, as two Scots - after being held captive by militants at an Algerian gas facility.
The prime minister has been updated on the latest situation by the Algerian PM, the foreign office says. An Algerian military operation is ongoing. The facility's part operator, BP, says the situation remains unclear.
The kidnappers occupied a gas facility in eastern Algeria on Wednesday, after killing a Briton and an Algerian. The kidnappers occupied the plant in eastern Algeria on Wednesday, after killing a Briton and an Algerian.
Part-operator BP said there had been reports of casualties and of hostages freed, but there was no confirmation. No 10 says David Cameron was informed of the operation when he phoned his Algerian counterpart at 11:00 GMT.
The family of a man from west Belfast, 36-year-old Stephen McFaul, who was being held, has told the BBC he has been freed and is safe. The prime minister made clear that he would have preferred to have been informed in advance of the military action, the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, the Algerian state media says that some hostages have escaped or been liberated, including two Scots. "The prime minister is extremely concerned. It is a very grave and serious situation."
'Escaped or liberated'
BP says there are unconfirmed reports of casualties and of hostages being released or escaping.
The family of 36-year-old Stephen McFaul, from west Belfast, told the BBC he had been freed and was safe.
Another hostage is also reportedly from Northern Ireland. The MP, Ian Paisley jnr, says he was called to the Foreign Office for a briefing about a constituent, a man from north Antrim who was travelling on a British passport.
Meanwhile, the Algerian state media says that some hostages have escaped or been liberated, including two from Scotland, one from France and one from Kenya.
It quoted an unnamed source as saying that "about half" the foreign hostages had been freed.
Media reports quote militants saying 34 hostages were killed after Algerian forces opened fire from the air.Media reports quote militants saying 34 hostages were killed after Algerian forces opened fire from the air.
The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner tweeted the situation was still very confused "with lots of rumours".The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner tweeted the situation was still very confused "with lots of rumours".
As well as Britons, the hostages are also said to include Japanese, US, French and Norwegian nationals. As well as Britons, the hostages are said to include Japanese, US, French and Norwegian nationals.
In a statement, BP's Chief Executive Bob Dudley said: "Supporting these families is our priority and we are doing all we can to help during this sad and uncertain time."
The company added that, as a precautionary measure, staged plans were under way to bring a group of non-essential workers out of Algeria.
Cobra meetingCobra meeting
The prime minister will chair a 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 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.
He has also spoken to his counterparts in Norway and Japan.He has also spoken to his counterparts in Norway and Japan.
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. The prime minister's spokesman said the situation was "very serious and dangerous" but the government was "working through" the Algerians and BP.
The complex at In Amenas is operated by state oil company, Sonatrach, along with Britain's BP and Norway's Statoil.The complex at In Amenas is operated by state oil company, Sonatrach, along with Britain's BP and Norway's Statoil.
Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kabila earlier said the militants claimed they had seized 41 foreign workers.Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kabila earlier said the militants claimed they had seized 41 foreign workers.
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.