Why weren't the SAS sent into Algeria?

Because ultimately if the Algerian government denied our assistance, we had no right to send in our special forces.

No matter how better prepared they were.

I don't think it's ever stopped us before and it certainly didn't stop the Americans going into Pakistan without the government's permission to kill Bin Laden. We could easily have went in and I don't think anyone would've batted an eyelid.

Yes we could have, unlike the Americans though we are not international cowboys, who storm into other peoples houses, wander through there kitchen then **** of without so much as an apology.

As it was this was an internal hostage situation that was taking place within Algerias borders, and under the jurisdiction of there military to resolve.
It would have been much smarter to ceed tactical management to the SAS, however they had no obligation to, and as a country which must deal with threats against themselves, they should not be rolling over and begging outside help every time an event like this occurs.

As it was, with the Algerian Military on such high alert, and the situation as delicate and violence-prone as it was, sending in an armed response unit, without inivitation or even expressly against the wishes of the Algerian Government.

Would not have been safe or sensible.

Well it certainly wasn't safe leaving the situation to the Algerians. It's been reported many times that they have very little experience in dealing with hostage negotiations. Plus the situation had become an international matter involving citizens from across the globe, on an international oil company and gathering the attention of governments from around the world. We had a major interest of course since it was revealed that British citizens made up quite a lot of the total hostages captured. This was a terrorist attack that had been sparked by the French assault in Mali.

You make it sound as if the international community would be outraged if we had went in. For example the Israelis send Mossad hit squads to assassinate people in foreign countries. No one bats an eyelid. As long as we had went to the Americans at least and let them know of our intentions, no one would attack us for going in. Like you point out, the Americans are the cowboys aren't they?

I don't think it's ever stopped us before and it certainly didn't stop the Americans going into Pakistan without the government's permission to kill Bin Laden. We could easily have went in and I don't think anyone would've batted an eyelid.

Mind your own business. You can't apply your laws on foreign soil.

you can't just go and do whatever you want in someone else's country

Just because people do it all the time, and no one would bat an eyelid, does not mean doing it is right.

As it was in this situation, Algeria did not want our presence, therefore sending the SAS in would only have cost more lives due to confusion and BoB

Yet another non-story used to distract people from how the govt. is ****ing them over. No disrespect to ALL the victims, but sending the SAS or (LOL) the Seals for that would be equivalent to sending in the army in a domestic siege. I have actually witnessed a siege once on the outskirts of Norwich where a woman and baby were being held at gunpoint in a house. They sent in a helicopter and loads of cops.

To the US, getting Osama's head was more of a priority than saving several Brits ever will be. Also, I don't understand the extent to which British nationals are under the protection of the UK while abroad, if any.

For example the Israelis send Mossad hit squads to assassinate people in foreign countries. No one bats an eyelid.

It's incredible that David Cameron managed to trust the Algerian government over handling the situation. This whole sorry affair has ended in a massive bloodbath. There were sources close to Downing Street saying that Cameron had the SAS on standby. Looks like he backed out on that option and decided to trust the Algerian special forces who cocked up the situation leaving dozens of people dead.

We could've at least went to our main ally the Americans and ask them to bend the arms of the Algerians. They could've sent their Navy SEAL forces.