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| Algerian hostages: Hague says crisis 'top priority' | Algerian hostages: Hague says crisis 'top priority' |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The Algerian hostage crisis will remain the UK's "top priority" until every British national is accounted for, Foreign Secretary William Hague says. | The Algerian hostage crisis will remain the UK's "top priority" until every British national is accounted for, Foreign Secretary William Hague says. |
| Mr Hague tweeted the comment before chairing a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee. | Mr Hague tweeted the comment before chairing a meeting of the government's Cobra emergency committee. |
| As the siege at the gas plant enters its fourth day militants told a Mauritanian news agency they have seven foreign hostages. | As the siege at the gas plant enters its fourth day militants told a Mauritanian news agency they have seven foreign hostages. |
| About 30 foreigners remain unaccounted for, including about 10 Britons. | About 30 foreigners remain unaccounted for, including about 10 Britons. |
| Militants are currently holding the workers hostage in an internal area surrounded by Algerian special forces, according to reports. | Militants are currently holding the workers hostage in an internal area surrounded by Algerian special forces, according to reports. |
| 'Very relieved' | 'Very relieved' |
| According to the state-run APS news agency 14 Algerian and foreign workers - including one Briton - have died since the crisis at the remote In Amenas desert gas facility began on Wednesday. | According to the state-run APS news agency 14 Algerian and foreign workers - including one Briton - have died since the crisis at the remote In Amenas desert gas facility began on Wednesday. |
| Militants initially attacked two buses carrying foreign workers before taking Algerians and foreign workers hostage at the complex. | Militants initially attacked two buses carrying foreign workers before taking Algerians and foreign workers hostage at the complex. |
| Algeria said its armed forces attacked on Thursday as militants tried to move some of their captives from the facility, freeing 573 Algerians and about 100 of 132 foreigners. | Algeria said its armed forces attacked on Thursday as militants tried to move some of their captives from the facility, freeing 573 Algerians and about 100 of 132 foreigners. |
| There are no longer any French hostages in Algeria, the French defence minister said on Saturday. | There are no longer any French hostages in Algeria, the French defence minister said on Saturday. |
| Mr Hague said: "My thoughts are also with the families of everyone affected, particularly those still waiting for news of their loved ones." | Mr Hague said: "My thoughts are also with the families of everyone affected, particularly those still waiting for news of their loved ones." |
| A number of freed Britons were been pictured on Algerian TV, where one said he was impressed by Algerian soldiers who battled with the militants. | A number of freed Britons were been pictured on Algerian TV, where one said he was impressed by Algerian soldiers who battled with the militants. |
| One of the freed hostages Alan Wright from Portsoy, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland has returned to the UK. | One of the freed hostages Alan Wright from Portsoy, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland has returned to the UK. |
| Speaking to BBC Scotland he said: "I'm back in the UK with my wife and looking forward to seeing the rest of my family once I get home and also thinking of all my friends not yet safe." | Speaking to BBC Scotland he said: "I'm back in the UK with my wife and looking forward to seeing the rest of my family once I get home and also thinking of all my friends not yet safe." |
| Another man held hostage, Iain Strachan, 38, from Howwood in Renfrewshire, Scotland, said he was "very relieved to be out", adding: "Obviously we still don't really know what's happening back on site. | Another man held hostage, Iain Strachan, 38, from Howwood in Renfrewshire, Scotland, said he was "very relieved to be out", adding: "Obviously we still don't really know what's happening back on site. |
| "So, as much as we're glad to be out, our thoughts are with colleagues who are still there at the moment." | "So, as much as we're glad to be out, our thoughts are with colleagues who are still there at the moment." |
| He said the Algerian army's assistance had been "fantastic". | He said the Algerian army's assistance had been "fantastic". |
| "I've never been so relieved as when they came and got us off site," he said. "We thank them very much for that." | "I've never been so relieved as when they came and got us off site," he said. "We thank them very much for that." |
| 'Brutal attack' | 'Brutal attack' |
| Mr Strachan was interviewed on a bus alongside Darren Matthews, 29, from Teesside. | Mr Strachan was interviewed on a bus alongside Darren Matthews, 29, from Teesside. |
| Mr Matthews said: "I am relieved to be going to see friends and family. I feel safe at the moment but I won't feel 100% happy until I'm back in the UK, when I am back with my family. | Mr Matthews said: "I am relieved to be going to see friends and family. I feel safe at the moment but I won't feel 100% happy until I'm back in the UK, when I am back with my family. |
| "My heart goes out to the guys that are still there and hopefully everyone comes home safe because, at the end of the day, it's only work. No-one should have to go through that just for a job." | "My heart goes out to the guys that are still there and hopefully everyone comes home safe because, at the end of the day, it's only work. No-one should have to go through that just for a job." |
| Foreign Secretary William Hague cut short his trip to Australia to return to the UK in response to the crisis. | Foreign Secretary William Hague cut short his trip to Australia to return to the UK in response to the crisis. |
| He chaired the emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday morning. | He chaired the emergency Cobra meeting on Saturday morning. |
| Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain would do "everything we can to hunt down" those behind the "brutal and savage" attack. | Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain would do "everything we can to hunt down" those behind the "brutal and savage" attack. |