Hostage-takers demand Algerian army pull out before talks

Algerian snipers opened fire at site injuring a Japanese national hostage Algerian troops have surrounded a gas facility in the east of the country close to the Libyan border, where foreign workers are being held hostage by armed groups. The kidnappers occupied the complex near In Amenas on Wednesday, after killing a Briton and an Algerian.
Thirty Algerian workers have reportedly managed to escape on Thursday from the gas facility where they were being held hostage, national media has reported, although no further information has been given.
Hostages have demanded the army to withdraw from the location so that negotiations can begin. Kidnappers 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.
They said the attack was vengeance for the Algerian government's decision to open its airspace to French warplanes pounding rebels in neighbouring Mali.
Algeria sent troops to the site, and insisted it would not negotiate with the gunmen.
William Hague, the British foreign secretary, confirmed the death of a Briton on Thursday, but rejected any link to the crisis in Mali, calling that an excuse for "cold-blooded murder."
"While sadly I can confirm the death of one British national, I can't confirm at this point the exact number of hostages held," he said.
The attack began with the ambush of a bus carrying employees from the gas plant to the nearby airport but the attackers were driven off, according to the Algerian government, which said three vehicles of heavily armed men were involved.
Meanwhile, fresh clashes erupted overnight between the Malian army, backed by French troops, and armed groups encircling the central town of Konna, military sources said Thursday. Fighting broke out on Wednesday afternoon near the town, whose capture by rebels last week prompted France to intervene in a bid to drive back the insurgents who have controlled northern Mali since April 2012.
Furthermore, the size of France's ground force in Mali has now risen to 1,400 troops, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Thursday.
France has said it plans to deploy up to 2,500 soldiers in its former colony in an operation designed to help the Malian army regain control of the north of the country from "Islamist groups".