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French hostages kidnapped in Yemen released
Three French hostages kidnapped by Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen more than five months ago are on their way home, a tribal official involved in their release said on Monday.
A tribal chief said that a ransom was paid for the release of the three French hostages, however did not specify how much was paid
"They travelled by land to the Sultanate of Oman and will be flying to France from there," the chief who led the mediation efforts with Al-Qaeda militants told AFP.
He said the three former hostages – two women and a man – were in "good health."
Tribal sources had said in July that the French aid workers were seized by Al-Qaeda militants in the Hadramawt town of Seyun, 600 kilometres east of Sanaa.
Several days later, tribal sources said the kidnappers were from Al-Qaeda and were demanding a ransom of $12 million.
On Monday, the tribal chief said a ransom was paid to secure the release of the hostages but did not specify who paid it or how much was paid.
All three were members of the French NGO Triangle Generation Humanitaire and first disappeared on 28 May.
Early Monday, the French presidency announced their release and expressed its thanks to neighbouring Oman for assisting in securing their freedom.
