Brazilian hostages released in Egypt

SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt, March 19 (UPI) -- Two Brazilian tourists and two others who were kidnapped in Egypt by armed Bedouins were released Monday, officials said.

Viela Fageles, 30, Sarah Lima Soviro, 20, their tour guide and a policeman assigned to protect them were all taken hostage in South Sinai Sunday night when Bedouin tribesmen stopped their tour bus, Ahram Online reported.

Armed forces and police worked with Bedouin tribal sheiks to secured the hostages' release, which happened about eight hours after they were kidnapped.

The kidnappers had demanded the release of jailed tribesmen in return for the hostages, but no such deals were made with the kidnappers, officials said.

This was the third abduction of tourists in Sinai this year.