"The money the region has spent shows ambition and it is now down to the players to perform on the field and take the step forward, " he said.

BBC: Welsh rivals throw down gauntlet

After Algeria allowed France to use its airspace to take on insurgents, militants angry about the move stormed a gas field in eastern Algeria and took hostages in what is now an ongoing hostage crisis.

CNN: January 19, 2013 -- Updated 0754 GMT (1554 HKT)

After Algeria permitted France to use its air space to take on insurgents, militants angry at the move stormed a gas field in eastern Algeria and took hostages in what is now an ongoing hostage crisis.

CNN: French, Malians seize town from Islamists

After neighboring Algeria allowed France to use its airspace to take on insurgents, militants angry about the move stormed a gas field in eastern Algeria and took hostages in what is now an ongoing hostage crisis.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS