Islamist militants take hostages in Algeria

In a standoff deep in the Sahara desert, the Algerian army ringed a natural gas complex where Islamist militants were holed up with dozens of hostages last night, after a rare attack that appeared to be the first violent shock wave from the French intervention in Mali.

A militant group that claimed responsibility said 41 foreigners were being held after the assault on one of oil-rich Algeria's energy facilities. Two foreigners were killed in the attack.

A group claiming responsibility said the attack was in revenge for Algeria's support of France's military operation against al-Qaida-linked rebels in neighboring Mali.

Worldwide condemnation of the attack was swift, with British Foreign Secretary William Hague saying there is no excuse for cold-blooded murder. "This is an absolute tragedy, of course, in this dangerous and rapidly developing situation. The next-of-kin have been informed and the government's COBRA emergency system is in full operation. I have spoken to our ambassador in Algeria and dispatched a to Algeria to strengthen our embassy there and help them in their work. Excuses being used by terrorists and murderers who are involved . . . there is no excuse for such behaviour, whatever excuse they may claim. It is absolutely unacceptable of course. It is, in this case, the cold-blooded murder of people going about their business. So there is no excuse, whether it be connected to Libya, Mali, or anywhere else."

Listen to Christopher Wells' report: