Canadian died during Algerian gas plant attack, RCMP say

The RCMP confirmed Monday that a Canadian'sremains have been found in Algeria. It's believed the body is linked to a January battle for a gas plant between Algerian forces and Islamic insurgents with links to al-Qaeda.

The RCMP said its investigation is ongoing, but would not release any further information. However, sources told CBC News on Monday that the Canadianwhose remains were discoveredwas one of the insurgents involved in the attack.

It's believed the body was found at the site of the gas plant, where Algerian special forces clashed with Islamic insurgents who had stormed the Saharan plant and held hostages for four days.

The standoff ended on Jan. 16 when Algerian forces staged araid that killed at least 81 people, including at least 48 hostages.

A group calling itself the Masked Brigade claimed responsibility for leading the gas plant attack and taking hostages.

The group said it was retaliating against French attacks on Islamic insurgents in Mali.

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal said the group of insurgents included two Canadians, as well as fighters from Egypt, Mali, Niger, Mauritania and Tunisia.

Sellal also said the insurgents who stormed the plant had memorized the layout of the sprawling complex and were ready to blow up the entire facility.

In January, a Canadian government source told CBC News that until Canadian officials see the proof themselves they will not confirm whether Canadians were involved in the attack.