Kidnappers: Algerian army must pull out
2013-01-17 13:53
Dubai - Islamist extremists holding 41 foreigners hostage at
an Algerian gas field demanded Thursday the army withdraw from the location so
that negotiations can begin, in an interview with Al-Jazeera news channel.
"We demand the Algerian army pull out from the area to
allow negotiations," one of the kidnappers, identified as Abu al-Baraa,
told the Doha-based satellite channel.
He also called for the release of Islamist extremists being
held in neighbouring Mali. "Our detainees for theirs," he said.
Abu al-Baraa also told the channel that Algerian snipers had
opened fire at the site where the hostages are being held, injuring a foreigner
he identified as a Japanese national.
The kidnapper confirmed earlier reports that there are
"around 41" hostages from several countries - Norway, France, the
United States, Britain, Romania, Colombia, Thailand, Philippines, Ireland,
Japan, South Korea, and Germany.
Islamist gunmen killed two people and took 41 foreign
hostages in an attack on Wednesday at the In Amenas gas field near the Libyan
border.
They said the attack was vengeance for the Algerian
government's decision to open its airspace to French warplanes pounding
Islamist rebels in neighbouring Mali.
Algeria sent troops to the site, and insisted it would not
negotiate with the gunmen.
