Yemen kidnappers demand jobs as ransom

Yemeni tribesmen holding a British man hostage are demanding more jobs and utility projects from the government in exchange for his release, an official source said yesterday.

"The kidnappers' demands are water and electricity projects in their area in addition to more jobs for their sons in the armed and security forces," the source said. "This is nothing but blackmail of the government."

The British man, who worked for a Japanese development agency, was kidnapped on Wednesday by tribesmen near Ans, about 60 miles south of the capital Sanaa.

On Thursday, four French tourists were released unharmed after being abducted the previous day by tribesmen in a separate incident in the north of the country, Yemeni officials said.