“refusing to allow any of the employees of foreign oil cos. to leave”
Can you tell us where this is cited?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1816644
There is another article which will no longer link from 4/10
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1815036
I don't believe he is holding any hostages, at least not yet, but he warned the foreign oil companies working the fields not to pull their workers or shut down the fields and to keep on business as usual until May 1, when the military would be taking over the fields.