Iranian diplomat kidnapped by gunmen in Yemen's capital

An Iranian diplomat was kidnapped by unidentified militants in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Sunday, an official source at the Iranian embassy here told Xinhua. "Ahmed Nour Ahmed, the cultural counselor at the Iranian embassy was snatched early Sunday by gunmen from Hadda area in downtown Sanaa," the source said, adding that the diplomat was taken to unknown destination and contact with him was cut. No group claimed responsibility for the incident nor the official authorities have commented on it yet. However, a Yemeni security official confirmed the abduction, but he declined to give further details. Foreigners are frequently kidnapped in Yemen by al-Qaida militants or tribesmen who asked for ransom or for the exchange for their jailed fellows. Most of the kidnapped have been freed unharmed. Last month, a Dutch couple and two South Africans were kidnapped in Sanaa and the central province of Taiz and the Yemeni government is still searching for the four people.