Algerian energy corp pledges strengthened security

ALGIERS - Algerian energy giant Sonatrach pledged on Sunday to strengthen security measures at its energy facilities across the nation in the wake of recent deadly militant attack on a southern gas-field compound, the national radio reported.

Abdelhamid Zerguine, CEO of Sonatrach said "we did a review of all these security measures in a bid to strengthen them. We have made proposals, and we will implement this new plan once it is in line with the regulations."

He said one of the security failures is the absence of armed security guards inside the production site of Tiguentourine gas field, which was assaulted by militants in mid-January.

"The internal regulations did not allow the presence of armed personnel. In the new proposal, we would ask for armed personnel to secure remote sites," specified Zerguine.

On Jan 16, an al-Qaida-linked armed group attacked the complex of Tiguentourine In Amenas, some 1,700 km southeast of the capital Algiers, and kidnapped some 800 workers from different countries, most of whom were freed by the Algerian army's rescue operation in the following days.