Egypt confirms release of 2 kidnapped American tourists: U.S. official

Shaded relief map of the Sinai Peninsula, 1992, produced by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WASHINGTON, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has confirmed to the United States the release of two American tourists who were kidnapped in the country's Sinai Peninsula, the U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Thursday.

"Egyptian officials have confirmed to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo that the two U.S. citizens kidnapped on the Sinai Peninsula on May 30 have been released unharmed," Toner said in a statement.

"The U.S. Embassy has been in touch with the victims' families and is providing appropriate consular assistance," he added.

The two Americans were kidnapped Thursday morning by some local Bedouins on the Sinai Peninsula. The kidnappers demanded the release of a tribesman arrested in a drug case Wednesday.

This was the fourth kidnapping case in the area since February. Two Americans and three South Korean tourists were abducted by Bedouins in the area on Feb. 3 and Feb. 10 respectively.

Related articles

• 2 Americans kidnapped in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula (cbsnews.com)
• Egypt officials: Kidnapped American tourists free (cbsnews.com)
• 2 American tourists kidnapped in Egypt (foxnews.com)
• Sinai Bedouins kidnap 2 American tourists in Egypt (miamiherald.com)
• Officials: Bedouins in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula kidnap 2 American tourists (foxnews.com)

Posted in: Bedouin, Egypt, Kidnapping, Sinai Peninsula, United States