Update: Yemen: American Couple Kidnapped

According to the BBC, the couple has now been released. The BBC didn't say if the tribe's demands had been met, but the Yemen Times had a big article about the president releasing a number of political prisoners and members of the press. Yemen separated into North and South Yemen, only to reunite in 1990. But they've never really solidified the union. There was a civil war in 1994, there has been a tribal uprising, and al-Qaeda has a significant presence there too. Add poverty to that, and it's a mess. It's really a shame, because it's a beautiful country and has several areas designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.