MARIB, Yemen, Jan 6, SPA -- Five Italian hostages were freedFriday after six days in captivity and their tribalkidnappers were detained, a deputy provincial governorsaid. The five Italians were in good health and will be flown byhelicopter to the Yemeni capital of San'a, said Adnan AbuLehoum, deputy governor of Marib province. Tribal mediator Jebal Teanan confirmed the three Italianwomen and two men were safe and said one of the sixkidnappers was a member of the local district council,Marai al-Amiri. There was no immediate word on what persuaded thekidnappers to release their hostages and surrender tosecurity forces. The government has deployed a large numberof troops, backed by helicopters, around the kidnappers'hideout in the past few days. The Associated Press said an Italian Foreign Ministry official in Rome confirmed that the hostages had been freed. The Italians were abducted Sunday by tribesmen in Maribprovince, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of theYemeni capital of San'a, who sought to force the governmentto release detained members of the tribe.--SPA 11 15 Local Time 08 15 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/317202