French FM asks national in Yemen to show high vigilance as risk persists

French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius on Friday called on nationals living in the conflict-torn Arab country Yemen to be extremely vigilant after a French woman abducted in Sana'a was freed.

"There are risks for French people in the region. A lesson should be learned from this event ( French woman's release). I call on our compatriots to show great vigilance," Fabius told the news channel BFMTV.

Earlier on Friday, the presidency office announced the release of Isabelle Prime, abducted in the Yemeni capital on Feb. 24.

The 31-year-old worker for an international organization would arrive to Paris later in the day.

"The release of Isabelle Prime shows yet again that France does not abandon its own people," the French top diplomat stressed.

Fabius also reiterated that Paris "has not paid a ransom", adding the negotiations to liberate the French hostage were "very complicated", without elaborating.

In a statement issued by his office, French President Francois Hollande "wishes to thank all those who helped reach this outcome, and in particular (Oman's) Sultan Qaboos bin Said."

According to a state-run Oman News Agency's report, Oman played a role in negotiating Prime's release in coordination with "some Yemeni parties" following a request for help from the French government. Endit