21.   In one province, a tribal leader who helped kidnap foreigners was appointed last year as the police commander.

22.   Initial reports said at least nine foreigners were kidnapped.

23.   It is the first time that the Bani Jabr tribe has kidnapped foreigners.

24.   It was the fourth time in the last one year that Muslim rebels fighting for independence have kidnapped foreigners to focus on their problem.

25.   Kidnapping foreigners is common in Yemen, a poor and often lawless country at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

26.   Kidnapping foreigners is common in Yemen, where heavily armed tribesmen in remote regions are virtually a law unto themselves.

27.   Kidnapping foreigners is common in Yemen, where heavily-armed tribesmen in remote regions are virtually a law unto themselves.

28.   Kidnapping foreigners is common in Yemen, where heavily armed tribesmen in remote regions operate freely.

29.   Koolstra expressed hope that Yemeni tribesmen would stop kidnapping foreigners.

30.   Large swaths of Yemen are virtually lawless and ruled by armed tribesmen who kidnap foreigners to demand money or press for other concessions from the government.