Italian embassy official kidnapped in YemenJuly 30, 2012 - 11:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net -
A security agent working for the Italian embassy in Yemen's capital Sanaa has been kidnapped by gunmen, officials said, according to BBC News. The Italian man was taken to an unknown destination from a street near Italy's embassy in south-west Sanaa, security and diplomatic sources have said. Police have said they are trying to track down and identify the gunmen. The Italian Foreign Ministry in Rome confirmed the kidnapping to the AP news agency. Kidnappings of foreigners are common in Yemen and are usually resolved peacefully. The majority of kidnappings are carried out by gunmen who use captives to make bargains with the Yemeni goverment. Officials tend to blame tribesmen or gunmen linked to al-Qaeda for taking foreigners. A French official working for the Red Cross was released earlier this month after being kidnapped in April. A Swiss woman who was working as a teacher and seized by al-Qaeda militants in March remains a hostage. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Armenian PM sends condolences to Iran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sent a message of condolence to the Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. |