ROME, Jan. 1 (Xinhuanet) -- The Italian Foreign Ministry said Sunday it could not confirm the release of three Italian women who had been taken hostage by Yemeni tribesmen along with other two male tourists.

    "It is not possible at the current time to confirm the report of the release of the three women," a ministry statement said.

    The five tourists were snatched away by armed tribesmen in Maarib, about 170 km east of the capital Sanaa, on Sunday.

    A Yemeni government official said later the three female Italian tourists were released shortly after by Yemeni tribesmen.

    The kidnapping came one day after five German tourists, including a former senior diplomat, were released following three days of captivity.

    Earlier this month, Yemeni tribesmen seized and later released two Austrians.

    In November, two Swiss tourists were kidnapped by tribesmen but were soon released.

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