Norwegian diplomat killed in Yemen

Yemen is a dangerous country for foreigners

A Norwegian diplomat has been shot dead in Yemen after he and his eight-year old son were kidnapped by armed men.

Gudbrand Stuve was died when Yemeni security forces tried to arrest the kidnappers at a road-block and he was hit in the crossfire. Mr Stuve's son escaped unhurt.

The diplomat was returning to Norway with his wife and children after completing a four-year posting in Lusaka, Zambia.

He had stopped over for a sight-seeing visit in Yemen, which lies at the southern corner of the Arabian peninsula, when he and one of his sons were abducted by four armed men.

The Norwegian Government says it is confident that the Yemeni authorities will co-operate in bringing the kidnappers to justice.

Kidnappings common

The shooting follows the kidnapping of the Polish ambassador to Yemen in March, who was later released.

Since the early 1990s, more than 200 foreigners, mostly Western tourists, have been abducted by tribesmen in Yemen who use them to press demands with the government or foreign oil firms.

Most are released unharmed when the kidnappers' demands are met by the Yemeni Government.

However, four Westerners were killed in 1998 when Yemeni troops stormed the base of a gang which had kidnapped 16 people.