Saudi diplomat kidnapped in Yemen 'is held by al-Qaeda'

The Saudi authorities say a diplomat kidnapped in Yemen last month is being held by al-Qaeda.

The diplomat – Abdullah al-Khalidi – is a deputy consul in Aden. He was abducted outside his home in the southern Yemeni city on 28 March. Al-Qaeda are demanding the freeing of prisoners held by the Saudis in exchange for his release. It is said the kidnappers’ leader is Mishaal Mohammed Rasheed al-Shodoukhi, sought by the Saudis since 2009. Aden borders Yemen’s Abyan province, where government forces have been struggling to contain militant groups linked to al-Qaeda. In the past year these groups have consolidated their control over several towns and villages in the region, including Abyan’s capital Zinjibar. Kidnapping is common in Yemen, with captives – particularly high-profile ones – often “sold on” by their original abductors to other groups