Yemenis protest kidnappings of foreigners

SANAA, Yemen, June 29 (UPI) -- Protesters marched in the streets of Sanaa, Yemen, Monday protesting the kidnapping of foreigners and calling on the government to end the abductions.

Different organizations participated in the march, organized by the Yemeni Tourism Federation, focusing on the recent kidnapping of nine foreign medical workers in the restive Saada area and the associated killings of three female captives, Yemeni news agency Saba reported.

"Kidnapping is not in line with Islamic principles and customs of the Yemeni people," the marchers said in a statement. "Kidnappers are harming Yemen and the people's interest with their acts and they really want to destabilize the nation. We call on the authorities to immediately hunt abductors and put them to justice."

Still unknown is the fate of the six other foreigners -- five Germans and a Briton -- who were snatched with the three women later found dead. Yemeni officials said they expanded the search for the six people.