Panetta: US-British working to free hostages

Topics: From the Wires,

Panetta: US-British working to free hostagesU.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta speaks about the situation in Algeria, at the start of his remarks at King's College in London on Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, saying there will be "no quarter for terrorists in North Africa." (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (Credit: AP)

LONDON (AP) — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the U.S. is working with the British and Algerian governments to assess what’s happening on the ground at a natural gas complex in the Sahara where Islamic militants are holding hostages from at least 10 countries.

The fate of many of the captives remains uncertain.

Speaking Friday at Kings College in London, Panetta said the U.S. is “working around the clock to ensure the safe return of our citizens.”

Panetta says the terrorists should be on notice that they’ll find no sanctuary in Algeria or North Africa.

He says anyone who looks to attack the U.S. will have “no place to hide.”

The Pentagon says Panetta will meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

They will discuss Islamic militant operations in Mali and Algeria.

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