Al-Qaeda seizes Japan hostage in Yemen: Tribal source

The man,identified by Japanese media as 63-year-old Takeo Mashimo,was kidnapped on Sunday in Arhab,northeast of Sanaa,by tribesmen seeking to exchange him for one of their relatives being held by police.

He was seized by Al-Qaeda last night,with a second mediator saying Al-Qaeda became involved after being approached by someone close to the detained tribesman who was opposed to the Japanese hostage8217;s release.

The 22-year-old man whose release was being sought by the tribesmen was imprisoned by US forces for a year in Iraq,according to a source in Yemen.

He was later arrested in Syria before being held in Sanaa,where he was sentenced to two years in prison without charges,the same source said.

Meanwhile,authorities have been rounding up members of the Al-Hanaq and Al-Gub tribes responsible for the initial kidnapping,the first source said.