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Algeria siege: 'Two Scottish hostages freed' Algeria siege: 'Two Scottish hostages freed'
(35 minutes later)
Two Scots are said to be among four foreign hostages freed following an Algerian military raid at a gas plant.Two Scots are said to be among four foreign hostages freed following an Algerian military raid at a gas plant.
The Algerian state news agency said two other hostages, from France and Kenya, were also released.The Algerian state news agency said two other hostages, from France and Kenya, were also released.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond had earlier said "a number" of Scots were among those being held by Al-Qaeda-linked fighters at the facility.Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond had earlier said "a number" of Scots were among those being held by Al-Qaeda-linked fighters at the facility.
The militants seized the BP plant, taking many workers hostage, on Wednesday.The militants seized the BP plant, taking many workers hostage, on Wednesday.
BBC Scotland understands one Scottish worker at the In Amenas plant, 29-year-old Mark Grant from Grangemouth, is now with the Algerian army.BBC Scotland understands one Scottish worker at the In Amenas plant, 29-year-old Mark Grant from Grangemouth, is now with the Algerian army.
It is unclear whether he was freed by his captors, rescued by Algerian forces, or managed to escape.It is unclear whether he was freed by his captors, rescued by Algerian forces, or managed to escape.
Unconfirmed reports suggested there had been fewer than five Scottish workers at the gas plant in the Sahara Desert when it came under attack from the militants, who killed two people - a Briton and an Algerian - in the assault.Unconfirmed reports suggested there had been fewer than five Scottish workers at the gas plant in the Sahara Desert when it came under attack from the militants, who killed two people - a Briton and an Algerian - in the assault.
Special forcesSpecial forces
They claimed to have taken 41 hostages, including French, British, US, Japanese and Norwegian nationals.They claimed to have taken 41 hostages, including French, British, US, Japanese and Norwegian nationals.
Algerian security forces launched an operation to retake the facility on Thursday, freeing four foreign workers, including the two Scots, and up to 600 Algerians.Algerian security forces launched an operation to retake the facility on Thursday, freeing four foreign workers, including the two Scots, and up to 600 Algerians.
Unconfirmed media reports quoting militants said 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers had been killed in the operation.Unconfirmed media reports quoting militants said 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers had been killed in the operation.
Algerian state radio said special forces were continuing to surround part of the complex on Friday morning, with militants still holding a number of hostages.Algerian state radio said special forces were continuing to surround part of the complex on Friday morning, with militants still holding a number of hostages.
British officials are trying to establish what happened to as many as 20 UK nationals who were thought to have been working at the plant.British officials are trying to establish what happened to as many as 20 UK nationals who were thought to have been working at the plant.
It is not yet clear how many had been freed or escaped, and how many had died.It is not yet clear how many had been freed or escaped, and how many had died.
But Whitehall sources have said they are bracing themselves for multiple British casualties, while UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said the country should be "prepared for the possibility of further bad news".But Whitehall sources have said they are bracing themselves for multiple British casualties, while UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said the country should be "prepared for the possibility of further bad news".
The government is to make a statement in the Commons later.The government is to make a statement in the Commons later.
The In Amenas gas field and its facilities are operated by a joint venture of the Algerian national oil company Sonatrach, BP and Statoil.The In Amenas gas field and its facilities are operated by a joint venture of the Algerian national oil company Sonatrach, BP and Statoil.
BP said on Friday there was "a small number" of its employees "whose current location and situation remain uncertain".
Speaking at First Minister's Questions at Holyrood on Thursday, Alex Salmond told MSPs: "The chamber will know that a terrorist group has seized BP's Statoil facility in the Algerian Sahara.Speaking at First Minister's Questions at Holyrood on Thursday, Alex Salmond told MSPs: "The chamber will know that a terrorist group has seized BP's Statoil facility in the Algerian Sahara.
"Citizens of a number of nationalities are involved, including UK citizens. I can confirm to the chamber a number of Scots are among the hostages."Citizens of a number of nationalities are involved, including UK citizens. I can confirm to the chamber a number of Scots are among the hostages.
"The UK government reports that one UK national has been killed in the attack.""The UK government reports that one UK national has been killed in the attack."
Mr Salmond said that information was limited "in the interests of the safety and security of the hostages".Mr Salmond said that information was limited "in the interests of the safety and security of the hostages".
"The priority is their safety and, of course, to keep families informed," he said."The priority is their safety and, of course, to keep families informed," he said.
"The Scottish Police Service is fully engaged with the Metropolitan Police Service in the latter, and Scottish government ministers are in contact with Foreign and Commonwealth officers on the former."The Scottish Police Service is fully engaged with the Metropolitan Police Service in the latter, and Scottish government ministers are in contact with Foreign and Commonwealth officers on the former.
"This is a hugely serious situation and I know that the whole chamber is united, both in condemnation of the attack and also in hoping for the early and safe release of the hostages.""This is a hugely serious situation and I know that the whole chamber is united, both in condemnation of the attack and also in hoping for the early and safe release of the hostages."