Americans Being Held Hostage In Algeria

We are receiving confirmation of reports that Americans are among about twenty hostages who were taken at a gas field in Algeria.

During a press briefing Victoria Nuland, a spokesman for the US State Department, said, "The best information that we have at this time is that U.S. citizens are among the hostages."

An Al Qaeda group is claiming responsibility for the kidnappings stating that they are in retaliation for the intervention of France in the Mail conflict.

The attack was launches early this morning against the gas field in Amenas, located about sixty miles from the border of Libya and Algeria.

Reports from French news bureaus are that the group claims at least of the hostages have been killed, or were killed during the kidnapping.  Initial reports said that only three hostages were taken, although some news agencies are reporting that as many as forty citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Norway, and France were seized.

We will continue to keep you updated on this story as more information becomes available.