Sanaa: Yemeni Shiite rebels handed over on Monday the first of five Saudi soldiers held captive since their three-month border war, resolving an issue that had complicated efforts to consolidate a four-day-old ceasefire with the Yemeni government.
"The Saudi soldier, Yahya Abdullah al-Khuzai, was handed
over today (Monday) in the city of Saada to mediators,"
working on implementing the truce, rebel spokesman Mohammed
Abdul Salam said to a news agency by telephone.
He said that Khuzai had a leg injury.
"This is a humanitarian gesture to ease tension. The
other side (Saudis) should work now to end the prisoners
issue," he added.
A mediator speaking to a news agency confirmed the release of
Khuzai, adding that efforts were under way to "release the
other four captives within hours."
The mediator, who requested anonymity, said the rebels
were "convinced" during lengthy talks "to leave the question
of their prisoners taken by the Saudis, numbering 31, to the
Yemeni authorities to follow up."
The rebels had complained yesterday that Saudi Arabia was
refusing to release the prisoners it is holding in exchange
for the five soldiers.
PTI
