An Algerian security official said de-mining squads searching for explosives have found “numerous” bodies at a gas refinery where Islamic militants took dozens of foreign workers hostage.

Somalian pirates today announced they had released a Saudi supertanker seized last year with its $100m (€74m) cargo.

Somali pirates who hijacked Saudi oil super-tanker Sirius Star yesterday demanded $25 million (€19.9m) in ransom and set a 10-day deadline amid mounting calls for tougher action on sea bandits.