UN in contact with kidnapped Norwegian
The United Nations is in contact with a Norwegian UN worker kidnapped in Yemen and is negotiating his release with the tribe responsible for his abduction, a UN spokesman said Sunday.
The expert for the UN Development Programme (UNDP), who has not been named, was seized in the capital Sanaa late Saturday "as part of a tribal dispute," deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey told AFP.
"The tribe has made assurances regarding the safety of the staff member who reportedly remains in good health," the spokesman added.
The UN in Yemen is working with the government in a bid to end the hostage-taking. The UN "remains in contact with the staff member and representatives of the tribe," Del Buey said.
In Yemen, a tribal source told AFP that tribesmen were behind the kidnapping and that the man had been taken to the eastern province of Marib.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the tribe wants "one of their tribesmen to be released from prison.
"The kidnapping comes two months after the release of a French aid worker and her Yemeni driver and translator who were abducted in the country's restive southern region on November 22nd.
All three were released unharmed two days later.
Tribes in Yemen often kidnap foreigners to put pressure on the authorities.
More than 200 foreigners have been abducted over the past 15 years, with almost all later freed unharmed.
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The expert for the UN Development Programme (UNDP), who has not been named, was seized in the capital Sanaa late Saturday "as part of a tribal dispute," deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey told AFP.
"The tribe has made assurances regarding the safety of the staff member who reportedly remains in good health," the spokesman added.
The UN in Yemen is working with the government in a bid to end the hostage-taking. The UN "remains in contact with the staff member and representatives of the tribe," Del Buey said.
In Yemen, a tribal source told AFP that tribesmen were behind the kidnapping and that the man had been taken to the eastern province of Marib.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the tribe wants "one of their tribesmen to be released from prison.
"The kidnapping comes two months after the release of a French aid worker and her Yemeni driver and translator who were abducted in the country's restive southern region on November 22nd.
Tribes in Yemen often kidnap foreigners to put pressure on the authorities.
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