SYDNEY (AFP) - Britain's foreign minister on Thursday confirmed the death of a Briton in an attack by hostage-takers on an Algerian gas field, but said any link to the Mali crisis was an excuse for "cold-blooded murder".
"While sadly I can confirm the death of one British national, I can't confirm at this point the exact number of hostages held," Foreign Secretary William Hague told reporters during a visit to Sydney.