Marib, Yemen: Tribal kidnappers have freed five Italian hostages whom they abducted six days ago, a mediator said on Friday.
The hostages, three Italian women and two men, were safe, tribal mediator Jebal Teanan reported in this northern mountainous area where the tourists were seized on Sunday.
There was no immediate word on what led the kidnappers to release their hostages. The government has deployed a large number of troops, backed by helicopters, around the kidnappers' hideout in the past few days.
The kidnappers included a member of the local district council, Marai al-Amiri, mediator Teanan said.
In Rome, an Italian Foreign Ministry official confirmed that the hostages had been freed. He had no details and spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to release the information.
The Italians were abducted by tribesmen in Marib province, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of the Yemeni capital of San'a, who sought to force the government to release detained members of the tribe.
The Yemeni prime minister initially announced the government would not negotiate with the kidnappers, but it pursued the dual policy of deploying troops around the site and cutting off water supplies while at the same time encouraging mediators to negotiate.
Hours after they seized the Italians, the kidnappers were persuaded to release the women. However, the women refused to leave until their male companions were also released.
Italy's ambassador to Yemen, Mario Boffo, had on Thursday expressed cautious optimism that the hostages would be released, saying they were being treated "with civility and dignity."
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