SANAA, Dec. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- Five German tourists including a former senior diplomat, who were kidnapped on Wednesday, were released on Saturday, the official Yemeni News Agency reported.    

    The five Germans, members of one family, were set free unharmed around Saturday noon along with three Yemeni drivers who were abducted together with the Germans by armed tribesmen, said the report.    

    No further details were revealed.

    The high-profile abduction occurred when the German tourists were traveling from the southeastern Shabwa province to the southern port city of Aden on Wednesday.    

    The kidnappers demanded the Yemeni government to release members of their tribe imprisoned in Aden.

    It was not immediately clear whether the government had met the kidnappers' demand.

    Yemeni armed tribesmen often snatched foreign tourists to pressure the government to release jailed relatives. The hostages were usually set free unhurt after negotiation between the authorities and the kidnappers.    

    Last week, Yemeni tribesmen seized and later released two Austrians.

    In November, two Swiss tourists were kidnapped but were soon released after negotiation. Enditem