Yemen tribesmen kidnap Japanese man, says official

Yemeni tribesmen have kidnapped a Japanese engineer in an area north east of the capital Sanaa to press for the release of jailed relatives, a provincial official said on Monday.

"Negotiations have started through mediators to seek the release of the man," the official, who did not wish to be identified, told Reuters.                                           

"They want relatives jailed (in Yemen) to be released." The engineer was kidnapped in the town of Arhab about 60 km (37 miles) north east of Sanaa, the official said without giving further details.