Algeria mulls international force for hostages

This April 19, 2005 photo released by Statoil via NTB scanpix, shows the Ain Amenas gas field in Algeria, where Islamist militants raided and took hostages Wednesday Jan. 16, 2013. As Algerian army helicopters clattered overhead deep in the Sahara desert, Islamist militants hunkered down for the night in the natural gas complex they had assaulted Wednesday morning, killing two people and taking dozens of foreigners hostage in what could be the first spillover from France’s intervention in Mali. (AP Photo/Kjetil Alsvik, Statoil via NTB scanpix) NORWAY OUT

ALGIERS, Algeria — An Algerian security official says the government is in talks with the United States and France over whether an international force can help in a standoff with Islamist militants who have taken dozens of foreigners hostage in a natural gas complex deep in the Sahara.

A militant group that claimed responsibility said 41 foreigners — including seven Americans — were captive in the complex, which is now surrounded by Algerian soldiers and helicopters.

The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the attack, said Algerian officials also contacted tribal elders among Algerian Tuaregs, who are believed to have close ties with Islamist militants linked to al-Qaida. The official said the government hoped the Tuaregs might help negotiate an end to the standoff.