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German FM in surprise Yemen visit German FM in surprise Yemen visit
(10 minutes later)
Germany's foreign minister has made an unannounced visit to Yemen, where five German nationals have been held hostage for six months.Germany's foreign minister has made an unannounced visit to Yemen, where five German nationals have been held hostage for six months.
Guido Westerwelle will hold talks with President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa.Guido Westerwelle will hold talks with President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa.
Five Germans, including three children, and a Briton were seized in northern Yemen while picnicking in June.Five Germans, including three children, and a Briton were seized in northern Yemen while picnicking in June.
Mr Westerwelle is the first Western minister to visit Yemen since a local al-Qaeda branch said they tried to bomb a US airliner over Detroit in December.Mr Westerwelle is the first Western minister to visit Yemen since a local al-Qaeda branch said they tried to bomb a US airliner over Detroit in December.
Last week, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab - the Nigerian man accused of attempting to detonate a bomb on the Amsterdam-Detroit flight on Christmas Day - was charged with the attempted murder of 290 people and five other counts.Last week, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab - the Nigerian man accused of attempting to detonate a bomb on the Amsterdam-Detroit flight on Christmas Day - was charged with the attempted murder of 290 people and five other counts.
The plane landed safely after passengers and crew overpowered him.The plane landed safely after passengers and crew overpowered him.
Hostages 'alive'Hostages 'alive'
Mr Westerwelle was expected to raise the issue of the seized hostages during his talks with President Saleh later on Monday.Mr Westerwelle was expected to raise the issue of the seized hostages during his talks with President Saleh later on Monday.
Last week, Yemen's deputy prime minister said the six hostages were still alive, the Associated Press reports.Last week, Yemen's deputy prime minister said the six hostages were still alive, the Associated Press reports.
The hostages were seized while picnicking in the northern Saada region. The kidnapped adults all worked at a local hospital.The hostages were seized while picnicking in the northern Saada region. The kidnapped adults all worked at a local hospital.
Two German nurses and a South Korean aid worker - who were part of the group - were found dead later in June.Two German nurses and a South Korean aid worker - who were part of the group - were found dead later in June.