Militants in Algeria warn of 'tragic end'

Kjetil Alsvik/Statoil

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By Luke Johnson & news reports

 17 January 2013 01:02 GMT

Tensions mounted at a gas-production facility in Algeria under siege by Islamic militants after government forces were reportedly repelled in an attack and hostage-takers warned of violence against those held captive if demands were not met.

Mauritian state broadcaster ANI quoted a militant source saying fighters at the In Amenas gas facility had fended off a raid by Algerian troops attempted after dark on Wednesday. He told ANI that the hostage-takers' weapons included mortars and anti-aircraft missiles.

The militants, who stormed the facility in a pre-dawn attack on Wednesday, said they had dozens of fighters at In Amenas, Reuters reported. The Islamists issued no explicit threat but made clear to media in neighbouring Mauritania the hostages' lives were at risk.

"We hold the Algerian government and the French government…

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