Suspected Islamist gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in Mali’s capital yesterday, firing automatic weapons and seizing more than 100 guests and staff in a hostage-taking incident that left at least 27 people dead.

The group claiming to have masterminded the storming of the Algerian gas plant warned of more attacks against any country backing France’s military intervention in neighbouring Mali.

Algerian special forces are continuing to hunt Islamist militants who overran a BP gas plant as freed hostages headed home.