A group of armed tribesmen released a French engineer of Algerian origin yesterday after holding him hostage for one day in south-eastern Yemen to press for the release of jailed fellow clansmen, local officials said.
The officials said the hostage’s release was secured by a mediation led by tribal figures and local officials in Shabwa.
The engineer, who works for a giant gas exporting project, was taken at gunpoint from the Habban area about 40km from Ataq, the provincial capital of Shabwa.
“The engineer was handed over to tribal dignitaries, and he is safe and sound,” a local official said, asking not to be named.
He said the man was released along with four bodyguards after the abductors, who belong to the Laqmoush tribe, received pledges from officials that they would release three clansmen being detained in neighbouring Hadramout province over a land dispute. - DPA
No comments yet.
