Japanese man still held in Yemen

The Japanese engineer kidnapped by armed Yemeni tribesmen has not been released, contrary to earlier reports, tribal leaders have said.

It had been reported that the man was freed on Tuesday and was on his way to the capital, Sanaa.

But on Wednesday morning, officials said there had been a last-minute dispute with his abductors.

The man, identified as Takeo Mashimo, 63, was expected to be released later on Wednesday, Japanese officials said.

No confirmation

"We have announced by mistake the liberation of the hostage on Tuesday night," Sheikh Abdul Jalil, a tribal leader, told the AFP news agency.

"The abductors had said they would free the hostage and had left to get him but when they came back they said they had changed their mind," he said.

The kidnappers are reportedly seeking the release from jail of a 22-year-old family member.

They had agreed to release Mr Mashimo on the condition that their relative was released in the next 15 days, but then changed their minds and demanded he be freed by Friday.

Earlier, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama told reporters his government had received no confirmation that the engineer had been released.

Mediators in Yemen later said he was still being held by his abductors.

"We are in a situation where he is not yet completely free," Mr Hatoyama said.

Instability

The kidnapping of foreigners is common in Yemen, where captors often seek a ransom or concessions from government.

The man was taken from the town of Arhab, about 60km (37 miles) north-east of Sanaa, earlier this week.

Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the region and is facing growing instability.

In the north of the country, the government is fighting Houthi rebels, a conflict that has grown in intensity since August and has drawn in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

It is also facing a secessionist movement in the south and an increased presence of al-Qaeda.