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| Yemen tribesmen free Dutch couple | Yemen tribesmen free Dutch couple |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A Dutch couple kidnapped by armed tribesmen almost two weeks ago have been released and are returning to the capital, a Yemeni official said. | A Dutch couple kidnapped by armed tribesmen almost two weeks ago have been released and are returning to the capital, a Yemeni official said. |
| "They are with tribal intermediaries and are on their way back to Sanaa," the official said. | "They are with tribal intermediaries and are on their way back to Sanaa," the official said. |
| The couple were seized while driving in the city and taken to a mountainous region 55 miles (90km) to the east. | The couple were seized while driving in the city and taken to a mountainous region 55 miles (90km) to the east. |
| The tribesmen were seeking compensation from the government over the wounding of six tribesmen by police in 2008. | The tribesmen were seeking compensation from the government over the wounding of six tribesmen by police in 2008. |
| Jan Hoogendoorn, 54, and his wife Heleen Janszen, 49, were held near Bani Dhibyan in an inaccessible part of the rugged Al-Siraj mountains. | |
| They were treated well by their kidnappers, Ms Janszen had told told reporters by telephone during her captivity. | |
| "We were offered lunch and tea, and were allowed to take a walk and take pictures," she said. | |
| Yemen has a history of kidnappings by tribesmen; in most cases those taken are released unharmed soon after. The hostages are commonly used as bargaining chips in disputes with the government. |