SANA’A — The French representative of the International Committee for the Red Cross, Benjamin Malbrancke, was released Saturday. He was abducted in late April by gunmen north of Hodeida.

Deeba Fakhr, spokeswoman for the Red Cross in Yemen, said Malbrancke was released unconditionally by the kidnappers.

“We don’t know about the identity of those who released him,” Fakhr said. “However, it is Ansar Al-Sharia in Shabwa governorate who handed him over to us. We are neutral and doing a humanitarian mission. We contacted many sides to look into this issue.”

Malbrancke was released in good health and was subject to no violations, though he remained kidnapped for 84 days.

For his part, Ahmed Saleh Omair, Shabwa security chief, said the abducted French citizen was handed over secretly and not through the security services.

“All I know is that he was taken by a plane from Sana’a airport,” he said. “No one from the Red Cross contacted us to investigate the matter, particularly it is known that he was abducted by Al-Qaeda.

Eric Marclay, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Yemen, said, “I’m relieved by Malbrancke’s release, and I’m pleased he is safe. Worry, which lasted for a long time, and suffering of his family, of the French staff here in Yemen and of all his friends, is gone now.”

“I want to warmly thank all of those who helped us during past period to bring Malbrancke, who is longing to meet his family, back.”