Yemeni security officials say two Belgian tourists who were kidnapped by tribesmen earlier this week have now been freed.

The couple, who are said to be well, were abducted on Tuesday in the southern region of Abyan.

The man and the woman were originally reported to be Austrian.

Kidnapping has become a frequent practice in Yemen, used by tribesmen as a negotiating tool.

This time, they were seeking the release of a man who had been sentenced to death for banditry.

It's not clear whether the demand was met.