[08/May/2008]
SANA'A, May 08 (Saba)- Two Japanese female tourists, who were released after hours kidnapping in Marib governorate, expressed thanks for efforts paid to set them free safely.

In a press conference held in Sana'a on Thursday, the two tourists Keiko Mishima and Shizuko Endo expressed admiration of speed efforts paid to set them free safely.

The Ministry of Tourism issued a statement confirming their release just a few hours after being kidnapped. The statement also read that the women were in good health.

Minister of Tourism Nabil al-Faqih said the two hostages were released hours after being kidnapped thanks to the efforts of the security authorities and the citizens of the Marib province.

The two freed hostages who were released within hours of being kidnapped in Yemen, apologized Thursday for worrying people back home and said they felt no threat to their lives. The described
details of their kidnapping, saying that the kidnappers were very kind with us and did not threaten us.

The Japanese government thanked Yemen for its quick action in securing the release of the women. "We are truly grateful to the Yemeni government which helped in an early resolution," Japanese
Vice Foreign Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters.

 AH/AH