Negotiations over a German hostage in Yemen

A Yemeni official said on Sunday that the Yemeni government has started negotiations for releasing a German diplomat kidnapped by tribal men two days ago.

News reports said that the Yemeni official explained that representatives for the governments and tribes of the area started talks with the kidnappers in order to release the German hostage whose name was not disclosed, stressing that the Yemeni authorities will use all peaceful means to ensure the release of the diplomat, safe.

Yemeni officials said that the diplomat who works at the economic section of the German embassy was driving his car together with his wife in a crowded street in Sanaa when he was held by the gunmen.

In Berlin, a spokesman for the German foreign ministry said that the diplomat was not wounded during the kidnapping operation.