British man who was kidnapped in Yemen released safely after 5 months in captivity

LONDON – The U.K. says a British man kidnapped in Yemen has been released safely after five months in captivity.

Mike Harvey, a teacher, was abducted in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, on Feb. 12 after leaving an educational institute.

A Foreign Office spokesman said Saturday that Harvey "is being supported by staff at the British Embassy and will be reunited with his family soon."

The spokesman said Harvey was released after efforts between Yemen's government and tribal intermediaries.

Kidnappings are common in Yemen, an impoverished nation where armed tribesmen and al-Qaida-linked militants take hostages in an effort to swap them for prisoners or cash.