Hostages released in Yemen

2005-12-24 19:05

San'A - Two Austrian hostages, seized in northern Yemen three days ago, have been released.

The hostages release was confirmed by Yemen's official news agency and the Austrian government on Saturday.

The news agency reported that the two architects - Barbara Meisterhofer, 31, and Peter Schurz, 52 - were released in "good health" early Saturday and "immediately resumed their tour of the historic and tourist sites" in north Yemen.

However, tribal officials in the Marib province, where the hostages were kidnapped, said the two were travelling back to the Yemeni capital, San'a, escorted by the provincial security chief and an Austrian diplomat.

The two were kidnapped on Wednesday at the Queen of Sheba's throne in Marib.

Yemeni government officials said tribal gunmen kidnapped the pair and probably took them to an area called Abeda.

Tribal officials said the kidnappers had released the Austrians following assurances that the government would look into their complaints.

The kidnappers are thought to have been attempting to secure the release of two members of a tribe in Abeda, currently under arrest.

- AP