Statement about the situation in Algeria

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This morning we received news we had all been hoping for.

One of the nine Norwegians whose fate we did not know anything about yesterday, is alive and secure.

After two days of despair this was a message of hope.

Another piece of good news is that six Statoil employees who are in freedom, are now on their way home to Norway.

This gives us strength and motivation to undertake all possible measures in order to save the eight persons who are still not accounted for.

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An hour ago I spoke to Algerian Prime Minister Sellal.

He confirmed that the military operation is still going on against terrorists at the gas facility at In Amenas.

Also, we have information that there are still hostages at the site.

We do not know if any of these are Norwegians.

In our conversation I once more appealed - in the strongest possible way - that the consideration for the remaining hostages must be put first.

Our Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and representatives of other countries have via different channels expressed the same concern throughout the day.

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Together with the authorities in Algeria and other countries we are working intensively to bring freed hostages out.

Tonight we have two well-equipped evacuation planes in the region.

At Algiers Airport, a refitted civil Scandinavian Airlines passenger plane is ready with surgery facilities and personnel, and room for 18 stretchers.

At Sigonella Air Base in Sicily, a Norwegian Air Force Hercules transport plane is ready with medical personnel and equipment.

We are working to establish an international air bridge from Algeria to Europe.

In other words, we have the capacity to bring Norwegians and other citizens out.

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Earlier today our Minister of Health Jonas Gahr Støre visited Statoil's centre for relatives in Bergen.

He expressed the Government's profound sympathy with the hostages and their families at home.

In the recent days and hours many have been through the hardest of trials.

As a nation we must this weekend prepare for bad news.

But we share the hope that more families will hear good news from Algeria.