One American dead in Algerian stand-off
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WASHINGTON (AP) - One American worker at a natural gas complex in Algeria has been found dead, United States (US) officials said on Friday as the Obama administration sought to secure the release of Americans still being held by militants on the third day of the hostage stand-off at a natural gas complex in the Sahara.
The officials identified the dead American as Mr Frederick Buttaccio, a Texas resident, but said it was unclear how he died. They said US officials recovered Mr Buttaccio's remains on Friday and notified his family. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said she spoke by telephone with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal to get an update on Americans and others in danger at the sprawling In Amenas refinery 1,287km south of Algiers. She said the "utmost care must be taken to preserve innocent life".
Mrs Clinton talked to reporters after the Obama administration confirmed that Americans were still being held hostage, even as some US citizens were being flown out of the country for recovery in Europe.
