[01/July/2009]

SANA'A, July 01 (Saba) – Elders of 260 Yemeni tribes in the cities of Dhale, Mahara, Dhamar, Baidha'a, Lahj, Saada, Shabwa and Jawf have signed a significant document criminalizing abducting and harming foreigners who visit the country.

The document also bans revenge, banditry and sheltering fugitives, with the tribes considering the phenomena contradicting Islamic principles and their values.

Foreigners who visit Yemen are deemed precious guests and they must, under Islam, be protected and respected.

Head of the Dar al-Salam Organization for Combating Violence and Revenge Abdul Rhman al-Marwani said committees of the organization intensified contacts with tribal elders across the republic holding meetings and paying field visits in an effort to find solutions for kidnapping of foreigners as well as the revenge issue.

Committees are doing utmost efforts to convince other tribes to sign the document so that all Yemeni tribes have a deterring mean when their people try to commit illegal acts against nationals or foreigners, he added.

FR