Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond on Friday said a number of people identified as residing in Scotland had been held captive in the hostage crisis in Algeria.

"We are not confirming numbers or other details at this stage as the situation continues to be fluid and is not yet resolved. However, our police service in Scotland have confirmed that a number of people identified as resident in Scotland, who had been held captive in the In Amenas facility, have now been confirmed as safe and well," he added.

Scottish police forces made contact with their families and offered support, the Scottish minister noted.

"We continue to work closely with the UK government to monitor the situation and stand ready to offer any assistance we possibly can. Our thoughts remain with all of those who are affected by this tragedy," said Salmond.

British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday condemned the "brutal and savage" hostage crisis that involved several Britons. He delayed a much anticipated speech in the Netherlands about Britain and the EU so as to be able to focus on the crisis in Algeria.

Cameron told members of the British parliament in a statement that less than 30 British citizens were believed to be "at risk" in Algeria.

Al-Qaeda linked militants took dozens of foreign nationals hostage Wednesday night at a gas plant in the southern Algerian desert.

The hostage-takers said they were retaliating against the French military intervention against rebels in neighboring Mali.

They claimed to have seized dozens of foreign workers, including Britons, Americans, Norwegians and Japanese. Endi

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