Al-Qaida in Yemen said on Monday no agreement has been reached to release the Saudi consul who was kidnapped in Aden on March 28, Almasdar Online reported.
The statement by the Ansar Al-Sharia came as a reply to the statement of Deputy Interior Minister, Muhammad Al-Qawsi, which said on Sunday communication was continuing with the militant group in the south to release, Abdullah Al-Khalidi, the Saudi consul, in 48 hours.
"What has been said over agreement to release the consul was untrue," the website quoted a statement by the militant group.
On Sunday, Al-Qawsi also said the Swiss female teacher, who was kidnapped in March in Hodeida, would be released along with the Saudi consul in 48 hours.
Al-Qaida, which seized several towns in Abyan and Shabwa provinces last year, also kidnapped last month a Frenchman. The three foreigners were said to have been taken to Shabwa.
Separately, the Defense Ministry confirmed the killing of 22 soldiers in raids by Al-Qaida militants in Abyan early on Monday. It reported on its website the casualties occurred during the raids on military posts in the Doufas and Al-Koud areas in Zinjibar.
In this regard, Al-Qaida said it also captured 28 more soldiers and seized military equipment during the raids, which came as a reply to the threats of President Abdrabu Mansour Hadi two days ago.
In his first speech since he was elected in February, Hadi vowed to continue the war on militancy in southern and southeastern regions until they were cleared from all areas.
Exploiting the unrest in 2011, Al-Qaida seized some towns in Abyan and Shabwa and has been trying to expand its presence.
But the forces, with direct support from the US and popular fighters, have faced many attacks in Abyan killing and injuring hundreds of militants in the past few weeks.
Also, many militants have been killed by US drone strikes in the two provinces including Fahd Al-Quso, who was targeted in Shabwa on Sunday.