French Woman Hostage Working For Red Cross Released In Yemen
Local Editor
A French-Tunisian woman working for the Red Cross was released after nearly a year in captivity in Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross said late Monday.
An ICRC statement said that Nourane Houas had arrived in Oman's capital, Muscat, after being freed by her Yemeni captors.
Houas was kidnapped by a group of armed men on her way to work in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Dec. 1, 2015. A colleague with her was released unharmed a few hours later but she was held.
She appeared in a video in May asking French President Francois Hollande to save her life.
Hollande "expressed his gratitude to all those who allowed for a happy ending to this ordeal," notably the Sultan of Oman, according to a statement from Hollande's office.
He also cited the efforts of ICRC President Peter Maurer and members of his organization. In a tweet, Maurer thanked everyone who worked to secure her release, saying: "Respect for humanitarian workers and their neutrality is vital."
Houas landed in Muscat on an Omani air force flight, stepping off the jet in a simple black robe, according to images released by state media.
Hollande praised "Nourane Houas' courage during her long detention," adding that he "shares her family's joy" over her release.
"We are relieved and thankful that Nourane is now back with us, safe and sound," said Alexandre Faite, head of the ICRC delegation in Yemen. "Her abduction was a terrible ordeal for her, as well as for her family, friends and colleagues. And it has obviously dealt a real blow to our humanitarian work in Yemen."
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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