Romanian kidnapped in Algeria
Algerian army carried out an operation to release those kidnapped by Islamist groups operating in a complex gas, more hostages were killed.
18 Ianuarie 2013, 11:00
Romanian Foreign Ministry confirmed that among those kidnapped in Algeria there is also a Romanian citizen.
An Algerian military operation is underway at the complex operation of Amenas gas, according to British Foreign Ministry, quoted by BBC.
France Press, citing the Islamic sources, indicates that the Algerian army had bombed the complex where the hostages are being held.
A local resident reported that kidnappers’ vehicles were destroyed in the bombing.
According to an Algerian television channel, 15 of the hostages were able to escape.
The information could not be confirmed by the Algerian government sources.
Algerian security sources, quoted by Reuters, said that 25 hostages were freed.
There are also unconfirmed reports of casualties among the hostages, as well as those of kidnappers.
Romanian Foreign Ministry confirmed that among those kidnapped in Algeria is also a Romanian citizen.
The Ministry states that it was formed a crisis cell to keep in touch with the Algerian authorities.
Foreign Ministry also announced that he could not yet provide additional information and requests to media to use only information coming from official channels not to put in danger the release of the hostages.
President Traian Basescu was already informed since yesterday about the situation of kidnappings in Algeria.
Presidency spokesman, Bogdan Oprea, told for Radio Romania that the Presidential Administration liaise constantly with the crisis unit set up within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Head of State is informed about the hostage situation.
Algerian troops encircled the gas processing complex in the east of the country, where dozens of foreign workers are held hostage by Islamic militants.
The militants occupied the complex Wednesday, after they killed two people, informs BBC.
Map: gas mining complex near Amenas, Algeria. Source: bing
According to the Algerian press, they currently hold about 20 people hostage.
Another 30 managed to escape the place.
Among the hostages are citizens of the United Kingdom, Japan, United States, France and Norway.
Liberation against French military intervention termination in Mali
One militant demand for their release is the cessation of French military intervention against Islamists in Mali.
According to the Algerian Interior Minister, the militants wanted to leave with the hostages, but were not allowed to leave.
"We refuse negotiations with the group," said the minister.
Algerian security officials consult with the United States and France, if an intervention of international forces could be useful or not.
The complex where are held hostages is 60 km from the border with Libya.
In the context of the conflict in Mali, Algeria has allowed France to fly over its airspace.
Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University
