Russia condemns slayings of hostages in Yemen, offers support

MOSCOW, June 18 (Saba) - Russia has condemned and expressed its
sorrow about the kidnapping of nine foreigners and the slayings of
three of them in the Yemen's restive province of Saada.

In a press conference in Moscow, a spokesman for the Russian Foreign
Ministry offered on Thursday Russia's support for Yemen to face all
forms of terror.

Andrei Nesterenko said Russia had felt sorrow about the inhumane
crime and wanted to reassure Yemen that it always stands by the
prosperity of the country.

The Russian official stressed the significance of boosting the fight
against all forms of evil.

Nesterenko also praised all measures Yemen has been taking to
protect strangers on its land, following the incident in which three
foreign female hostages were killed by their captors.

Early this week, Yemen said nine foreigners including seven Germans,
a Briton and a South Korean were abducted in Saada.

Days later, it said three bodies, which were identified of two
German nurses and a South Korean teacher who were among the
abducted, were discovered in the province.

The female hostages were apparently shot dead.

Germany blames the deaths on al-Qaeda.

And while the fate of the remaining six is still unclear, search for
five Germans including three children and a Briton, is continuing
with a massive hunt being expanded in two more provinces.

None has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and slayings yet.