ADEN: Gunmen in Yemen freed a French woman and two Yemenis working for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday, two days after they were abducted in the southern province of Lahej, local officials said.

They said the woman, who is of Moroccan origin, her driver and translator were freed after local officials and mediators intervened with kidnappers demanding the release of relatives held by Yemeni authorities in the nearby southern port of Aden.

"The Lahej governor has presented assurances that he will seek the release of four people held in Aden, as demanded by the kidnappers," a local official said. He said the hostages were unharmed and were on their way home.