The US defence secretary, Leon Panetta, has called an Islamist militant attack on an Algerian gas field a "terrorist act" and hinted at a potential military response.
A Briton and an Algerian were killed and western contractors, including Americans and Norwegians, were taken hostage when a group of well-armed attackers seized control of the gas facility, apparently in reprisal for France's military intervention in neighbouring Mali.
Panetta's warning came as Algerian forces were in a standoff with the attackers at the plant, part-owned by BP and a Norwegian firm, near Ain Amenas on the border with Libya. There were unconfirmed reports that a French national also died in the attack. Six other people were wounded, including two Britons.
The Algerian government said about 20 hostages were taken. US officials said they included an undetermined number of Americans.
Among the others held prisoner were nine Norwegians, five Japanese, several Britons as well as citizens of Ireland, France and Austria.
Scores of Algerian workers were also reported held.Panetta said he did not have firm information on whether the attack was linked to the situation in Mali but the group believed responsible said it was in retaliation for the French intervention, and for Algeria permitting the French military to use its airspace to send troops to Mali.
"By all indications this is a terrorist act. It is a very serious matter when Americans are taken hostage along with others," said Panetta. "I want to assure the American people that the United States will take all necessary and proper steps that are required to deal with this situation."Panetta's warning came as Washington is considering a request from neighbouring Mali for military assistance to back the French intervention against the Islamist militant takeover of the north of the country.
The US and other European countries have supported the French intervention, Operation Serval, by sending transport planes. US officials said that additional support is likely to be forthcoming but Washington will not send combat troops.However, the Obama administration is having to contend with US law which forbids direct assistance to Mali's military government because it overthrew an elected administration.
"Our goal is to do what we can," Panetta said on Tuesday. "The fundamental objective is to ensure that AQIM – al-Qaida – never establishes a base of operations in Mali or anywhere else."
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