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David Cameron to visit Algeria for talks David Cameron set for talks in Algeria in wake of hostage crisis
(about 4 hours later)
David Cameron is to visit Algeria later in the wake of the hostage crisis that left up to six Britons dead. UK prime minister David Cameron is on his way to Algeria where he will hold talks with his counterpart in the wake of the recent hostage crisis.
The UK prime minister will hold talks with his counterpart and the president. He will stress the strategic importance of Algeria in what he has called "the generational struggle" against al-Qaeda in North Africa.
Mr Cameron will stress the strategic importance of Algeria in what he has called "the generational struggle" against al-Qaeda in North Africa.
The UK is to send 330 military personnel to Algeria's neighbour Mali and West Africa to support French forces battling Islamist militants.The UK is to send 330 military personnel to Algeria's neighbour Mali and West Africa to support French forces battling Islamist militants.
Critics have warned of "mission creep".
The deployment will include as many as 40 military advisers in Mali and 200 British soldiers in neighbouring African countries, to help train the Malian army.The deployment will include as many as 40 military advisers in Mali and 200 British soldiers in neighbouring African countries, to help train the Malian army.
French-led forces are continuing their offensive against militants who seized northern Mali last year.French-led forces are continuing their offensive against militants who seized northern Mali last year.
Mr Cameron will be the first UK prime minister to visit Algeria since its independence in 1962. He will also be attending an international development conference in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.Mr Cameron will be the first UK prime minister to visit Algeria since its independence in 1962. He will also be attending an international development conference in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.
'Temporary operation''Temporary operation'
He is expected to hold talks with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, with discussions likely to focus on the hostage crisis and the military campaign in Mali. He is expected to hold talks with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, with discussions likely to focus on the hostage crisis, which left up to six Britons dead, and the military campaign in Mali.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Cameron's aides are stressing that the troops being sent to the region are to be used for training, logistics and intelligence, and not combat. They talk of a temporary operation.BBC political editor Nick Robinson says Mr Cameron's aides are stressing that the troops being sent to the region are to be used for training, logistics and intelligence, and not combat. They talk of a temporary operation.
But this trip is bound to heighten the demands on the prime minister to say not simply what he is not planning in North Africa, but to explain more about what exactly he is, our correspondent adds.But this trip is bound to heighten the demands on the prime minister to say not simply what he is not planning in North Africa, but to explain more about what exactly he is, our correspondent adds.
Some 37 foreigners and at least 10 Algerians died after militants seized workers at Algeria's In Amenas gas plant earlier this month.Some 37 foreigners and at least 10 Algerians died after militants seized workers at Algeria's In Amenas gas plant earlier this month.
Inquests were opened on Monday into the deaths of four UK nationals and a British resident killed in the hostage crisis.Inquests were opened on Monday into the deaths of four UK nationals and a British resident killed in the hostage crisis.
The bodies of Britons Sebastian John, 26, from Nottingham, Garry Barlow, 50, from Liverpool, Paul Morgan, 46, from Liverpool and Kenneth Whiteside, 59, who lived in Johannesburg, South Africa, but had family in Scotland, were flown back to the UK last week. Also flown back was the body of Carlos Estrada Valencia, 44, who was a Colombian national who lived in London.The bodies of Britons Sebastian John, 26, from Nottingham, Garry Barlow, 50, from Liverpool, Paul Morgan, 46, from Liverpool and Kenneth Whiteside, 59, who lived in Johannesburg, South Africa, but had family in Scotland, were flown back to the UK last week. Also flown back was the body of Carlos Estrada Valencia, 44, who was a Colombian national who lived in London.
West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield adjourned the inquests until 1 July.West Sussex Coroner Penelope Schofield adjourned the inquests until 1 July.
The Algerian government took the controversial decision to storm the site in the Sahara desert, which is jointly operated by BP.The Algerian government took the controversial decision to storm the site in the Sahara desert, which is jointly operated by BP.
Algerian officials said the hostage-takers had been from six different nationalities and belonged to a new Islamist group that recently broke away from al-Qaeda.Algerian officials said the hostage-takers had been from six different nationalities and belonged to a new Islamist group that recently broke away from al-Qaeda.
During the siege, one statement purporting to be from the captors called for an end to the French military intervention in Mali.During the siege, one statement purporting to be from the captors called for an end to the French military intervention in Mali.
'Mending damage' 'Mission creep'
The BBC's Richard Galpin, in Algiers, said radical groups, some with links to al-Qaeda, had grown in strength in the region in recent years.The BBC's Richard Galpin, in Algiers, said radical groups, some with links to al-Qaeda, had grown in strength in the region in recent years.
He said Mr Cameron's visit may be partly an attempt to mend any damage to relations after the prime minister expressed disappointment that he had had no advance warning about the Algerian hostage rescue operation.He said Mr Cameron's visit may be partly an attempt to mend any damage to relations after the prime minister expressed disappointment that he had had no advance warning about the Algerian hostage rescue operation.
Mr Cameron has said the hostage crisis highlights the need for a "strong security response" matched by an "intelligent political response".Mr Cameron has said the hostage crisis highlights the need for a "strong security response" matched by an "intelligent political response".
At the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, Mr Cameron said: "I believe we are in the midst of a long struggle against murderous terrorists and a poisonous ideology that supports them. Labour has said it supports greater intelligence sharing and security co-operation with countries in the region but has expressed concerns about the UK being dragged deeper into the conflict in Mali.
"Just as we've successfully put pressure on al-Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, so al-Qaeda franchises have been growing for years in Yemen, in Somalia and across parts of North Africa, places that have suffered hideously through hostage taking, terrorism and crime." "During his visit to the region the prime minister should be clear about not just the level of British troop commitments, but also give details of their status, provisions for force-protections and intended functions on the ground," said shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander.
"We must guard against mission creep in Mali."
Are you in the region? What do you think of UK military personnel entering Mali and West Africa to support French forces? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in the region? What do you think of UK military personnel entering Mali and West Africa to support French forces? Send us your comments using the form below.