Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the terrorist incident near In-Amenas, Algeria

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, January 17, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement today:

"It is with the greatest concern that I learned about the terrorist attack on a Sonatrach, BP and

Statoil facility near In Amenas, in South-East Algeria, that caused the death of people working in the facility and the abduction of others. I condemn these murders and call upon the abductors to immediately release the hostages they hold.

I express my sympathy to the families of the victims and underline my solidarity with the hostages, their respective governments and the Algerian Authorities who are presently engaged in the release of the hostages."