Japanese Engineer released in Yemen

A Japanese engineer seized by Yemeni tribesmen has been released after a week in captivity. The engineer's captor had wanted to exchange him for a prisoner with al-Qaida links.

Takeo Mashimo on Monday returned to the capital, San'a, after a day of negotiations between the tribesmen and Yemeni authorities. He was in good health and was received by the Japanese ambassador and the governor of San'a. In brief remarks Mashimo thanked the government's negotiating team and the tribesmen for letting him go.

Mashimo was working on the construction of a school about 20 kilometers northeast of the capital when he was kidnapped on November 15th.

Freed Japanese engineer and hostage Takeo Mashimo, 2nd right,  leaves the San'a Governor's office in the capital San'a, Yemen  Monday, Nov. 23, 2009. The Japanese engineer seized by Yemeni  tribesmen seeking to swap him for a prisoner with al-Qaida links was released Monday after a week in captivity, his embassy said. (AP Photo)