Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Western energy contractors have withdrawn foreign staffers
from Algeria in wake of a major Al Qaida strike.

Industry sources said virtually every Western contractor has reduced
staff in wake of an attack by Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb at the largest liquefied natural gas facility in Algeria.

The sources said the contractors warned of additional Al Qaida or other attacks on Westerners in the North African state.

“The assessment is that another attack could be imminent,” an industry source said.

So far, British Petroleum, which operates the Ein Amenas LNG plant, said it was withdrawing non-essential staff out of Algeria.

BP said the pullout would be temporarily. Algeria has ruled out the deployment of foreign security guards at Ein Amenas.

  Al Qaida Organization in the Islam Maghreb, Ein Amenas LNG plant, Out of Algeria: Energy companies pull staffers following Al Qaida attack