25 May 2017

News Story: Australian hostage released after seven-month ordeal in Yemen

Yemen (Image: Wiki Commons)
CANBERRA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has praised the Sultan of Oman for his efforts to free an Australian soccer coach who was kidnapped in Yemen last October.

The Australian man, Craig McAllister, had been coaching an under-16 soccer team in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa for two years before his kidnapping.

Omani authorities reported on Wednesday an Australian citizen had been located in Yemen after negotiations with local tribes, and had been transferred to Oman.

"I deeply appreciate the efforts of officials from across government who continue to provide the family assistance and of many other parties in Australia and overseas," Bishop said in Canberra on Thursday.

"I particularly thank His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said, the Sultan of Oman, for Oman's work to locate and receive the Australian national into Oman."

Bishop's office said the Australian government would make no further comments on the issue.

Read the full story at Xinhua