The aid worker from Northern Ireland kidnapped along with a Kenyan colleague in Somalia this week is unharmed, according to information received by the organisation he works for.
The two men were hired as surveyors by aid agency CARE International one week ago. They were to assist in the construction of two jetties in the areas of Hafun and Garaad, both of which are located in the Puntland region of northern Somalia.
Puntland's coastal communities were devastated in 2005 when a tsunami struck Somalia, claiming almost 300 lives. It is understood the two men were abducted by gunmen on Tuesday. Their names will not be released until relatives are notified.
"We have been informed that the men are unharmed and that village leaders are in discussions for their release. It is inadvisable for us to say anything else at this time to avoid exacerbating the situation," said David Gilmour, who directs CARE International's programmes in Somalia. "Our focus remains on a speedy and safe resolution for all concerned."
Earlier a spokeswoman said it was believed the abductions may be linked to a local clan issue.
Puntland declared itself an autonomous state in 1998 in an attempt to avoid the clan-based conflict ravaging areas farther south. It has experienced sporadic unrest since then.
"This is horrible news. We are so sad for the aid workers who are helping our people. We will do everything possible, even if it means using force, to release the hostages," Puntland's interior and security minister Mohamed Abdi said yesterday.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said Irish Embassy officials in Ethiopia were working with the charity to secure the aid workers' release.
The aid agency has worked in Somalia since 1981 but was forced to withdraw for a short period in the early 1990s due to safety concerns.