Algerian Hostage Crisis: One American Dead

Despite the Obama Administration's effort to secure the lives and safety of Americans being held hostage by an Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group in Algeria, one American has died. The Islamist terrorits took over a natural gas plant in a desert in Sahara, Algeria, holding hundreds of energy workers captive. Earlier today, an American rescue team was sent to the Ain Amenas refinery, 800 miles south of Algiers.

Officials say it is unclear how the American, Frederick Buttaccio from Texas, died.  His remains have been recovered and his family has been notified.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she spoke with Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal to get an update on the conditions of the Americans and others under seige, emphasizing that "utmost care must be taken to preserve innocent life."

Clinton also defended the secretive counterattack Alergerian forces sent against the militants in which they raided the plant and saved over 650 people. Western and British officials criticized Algeria for keeping the raid secret. Since the Algerian raid, 12 hostages have been killed. "Let's not forget: This is an act of terror. The perpetrators are the terrorists. They are the ones who have assaulted this facility, have taken hostage Algerians and others from around the world as they were going about their daily business," Clinton told reporters in Washington.

Earlier on Friday, a state news agency in Algeria reported that almost 100 of the 132 foreign workers who were kidnapped were free.  However, 30 others remained missing.

In London, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta assured Americans that the U.S. is "working around the clock to ensure the safe return of our citizens" and that terrorists will not find a place of sanctuary in Algeria or North Africa.

It was confirmed this morning that Americans are still being held captive and that the terrorist group is demanding freedom for an Islamist terrorist and prisoner who imprisoned in the U.S.