Muscat--An American among several believed held by Huthis in Yemen was freed and receiving treatment Tuesday in neighbouring Oman, which has been hosting talks between Washington and the Iran-backed Shiite rebels.
A diplomat in Muscat said the talks between the Americans and the Huthis were aimed at promoting a proposed peace conference in Geneva, which the United Nations has so far failed to persuade the warring parties to attend.
But the State Department said only that Anne Patterson, the top US official for Near East affairs, was in Oman for discussions "about many issues".
News of the release of American journalist Casey Coombs came as Omani state media reported that a Singaporean had also arrived in the sultanate on his way home.
State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Coombs had arrived safely in Muscat and was "in stable condition".
Pictures released by Oman's official ONA news agency showed Coombs being stretchered into an ambulance with a brace around his head.
AFP
