Algerian Hostage Crisis-Victims-Obituary

Algerian Hostage Crisis Victims

Obituary

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two additional Americans were killed in last week's hostage standoff at a natural gas complex in Algeria, bringing the final U.S. death toll to three, an Obama administration official said Monday.

Seven Americans made it out safely.

The deceased Americans were identified as Victor Lynn Lovelady and Gordon Lee Rowan, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the matter. The official had no details on how the Americans died, and their hometowns were not released. The FBI has recovered the bodies of and notified the families.

Militants who attacked the Ain Amenas gas field in the Sahara had offered to release the pair in exchange for the freedom of two prominent terror suspects jailed in the United States: Omar Abdel Rahman, a blind sheik convicted of plotting to blow up New York City landmarks and considered the spiritual leader of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist convicted of shooting at two U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Obama administration rejected the offer outright.

Last week's desert siege began Wednesday when Mali-based, al-Qaida-linked militants attempted to hijack two buses at the plant, were repelled, and then seized the gas refinery. They said the attack was retaliation for France's recent military intervention against Islamist rebels in neighboring Mali, but security experts argue it must have taken weeks of planning to hit the remote site.

One American death was confirmed Friday, that of Texas resident Frederick Buttaccio. And five Americans had been taken out of the country before Saturday's final assault by Algerian forces against the militants.

The U.S. official said two further Americans survived the four-day crisis at an insecure oil rig at the facility. They were flown out to London on Saturday.

Algeria says 38 hostages of all nationalities and 29 militants died in the standoff. Five foreign workers remain unaccounted for.


Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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It is unimaginable to comprehend the pain that the families have to endure during this devastating ordeal. But one thing is for sure God does. He understand the effects of death and that is why he vows to eliminate it, as is brought out in 1 Corinthians 15:26. In so doing he will resurrect your dear love ones. So please though it is hard. Keep the fond memories alive. Keep close to each other and continue strengthen each other. As my heart is broken along with yours, know that this the...

May the day soon come when each family member will be so "preoccupied with the blessings of Our Father that they no longer recall the sorrow of today." (Ecclesiastes 5:20, paraphrased)

My condolences to the families and other loved ones of the hostage victims! Events such as this are a sobering reminder of the "critical times" in which we live. At Psalms 72, God promises to "deliver the poor one crying for help...from oppression and violence he will redeem" them. Our Creator does care and will remedy all the problems with which we have to contend. May you be comforted and your hearts have peace!

Psalms37:9-11.May the God of true comfort be with your dear familys.

God bless the Heros... RIP

Sincere condolences to the families of the victims. May you find comfort from the support of others. 'And they will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making [them] tremble' Micah 4:4

Sorry for the lost of your dear loved ones! “And in the wilderness justice will certainly reside, and in the orchard righteousness itself will dwell. 17 And the work of the [true] righteousness must become peace; and the service of the [true] righteousness, quietness and security to time indefinite. 18 And my people must dwell in a peaceful abiding place and in residences of full confidence and in undisturbed resting-places. . ." - Isaiah 32:16-18

God bless these heros!

Dear god, bless the whole world!