Algerian forces have moved against Islamic militants holding hostages at a gas facility in eastern Algeria, officials say.
Four foreigners were freed but a number of people were killed in the ongoing military operation, Algerian state news agency APS reported.
Algerian soldiers had been surrounding the facility near In Amenas that kidnappers occupied on Wednesday.
Reports quoting militants said at least 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers died.
Militants also told Mauritania's ANI news agency that seven foreign hostages were still alive after the Algerian military raid.
Nearly 600 Algerian workers and four foreign hostages - two from Scotland, one from France and one from Kenya - were freed during the operation, APS reported.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21063370
Followed by:
David Cameron has postponed a long-awaited speech on the UK's relationship with Europe due to the ongoing hostage crisis at a gas facility in Algeria.
Mr Cameron said the UK should prepare "for the possibility of bad news" after Britons were among foreign nationals taken hostage at the plant.
The prime minister was to set out his vision for the UK's future role in the EU, and the prospect of a referendum.
An Algerian military operation is ongoing. The situation remains unclear.
Mr Cameron said we faced "a very bad situation".
Algerian forces have moved against Islamic militants holding hostages at a gas facility in eastern Algeria, the state news agency reports.
Reports quoting militants said at least 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers died.
The Conservative leader had been due to give a speech in the Netherlands and was under pressure from many of his MPs to give a binding commitment to a vote on Europe.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-21064114
Doesn't sound good.
