Three French humanitarian workers released in Yemen after five months

Three French humanitarian workers released in Yemen after five months

2011-11-15 16:42:21 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANAA (BNO NEWS) -- Three French aid workers who were taken hostage by suspected al-Qaeda militants in Yemen earlier this year were released on Sunday evening, French authorities confirmed on Monday.

The three were kidnapped on May 28 when they were conducting a field trip near Sayoun in the eastern province of Hadramaut while working for the French aid organization Triangle Generation. They were allegedly kidnapped by militants linked to al-Qaida.

After their release, the group left Yemen for Oman where they stopped briefly before flying back to France to be reunited with their families. The two women and one man are believed to be in good health, reports said.

Pierre Perraud, the only man in the group, made a brief statement in which he expressed his relief and gratitude towards those who contributed to his release and that of his colleagues. "We are very grateful for the great hospitality we have had during our stay in Oman. We are very happy to go back to our family to be finally free," he said, as quoted by the Yemen Post.

In a statement, French President Nicolas Sarkozy thanked the Sultan of Oman as he apparently used his influence on the tribe to allow the release of the hostages. "Sarkozy warmly thanks the Sultan of Oman and the authorities for their decisive help, as well as all those who contributed to this happy outcome," a statement said.

According to Yemeni officials, the kidnappers were trying to blackmail the Yemeni government into releasing prisoners belonging to their tribe as well as the payment of several million dollars. They threatened to kill the hostages if ransom was not paid imminently.

It has not been confirmed if a ransom was paid to secure the release of the workers.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-11-15