Abdullah al-Khalidi was released Monday after being held hostage for three years by al-Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen, Reuters reports.
The diplomat, who served as the Saudi consul in Aden, was kidnapped in March 2012. He later appeared in AQAP videos, urging the Saudi government to do more to facilitate his release.
The Saudi Interior Ministry said the diplomat's release was a result of "intensive efforts" made by the kingdom's intelligence agency.
Earlier today three suspected AQAP members were killed in US drone strike.
