Saudi Diplomat, Abdallah al-Khalidi, who was kidnapped last month from outside his residence by al-Qaeda miltiants, could be released shortly. This is according to Sheikh Tareq al-Fadli who is a powerful and influential tribal leader in Southern Yemen. He had been mediating with Kahalidi’s kidnappers and reports that the diplomat is in good health.
Saudi Diplomat, Abdallah al-Khalidi
The al-Qaeda militant, who phoned the Saudi Embassy in Sana, has been identified as Mishaal al_Shodoukhi. He threatened to kill Kahalidi if his demands were not met and said he was ready to ‘prepare the knives’. He intimated this would include an embassy bombing and assassination of a Saudi Prince.
Riyadh, which has an immense influence among the Yemeni tribes, said it would not countenance any form of bargaining but would do everything possible to expedite Khalidi’s release.
Politic upheaval in Yemen has seen strengthened support for Islamist extremists especially amongst the impoverished Arabian Peninsula State. These insurgents are known to be allied with a regional wing of al-Qaeda who have sworn to bring down the neighboring Saudi Arabia ruling family.
Source: Reuters
