RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry says that its diplomat who was abducted by alleged al-Qaida militants in Yemen has been released after nearly three years in captivity.

The ministry said in a statement Monday that efforts made by the kingdom's intelligence agency led to the release of Abdullah al-Khalidi, who is now at the Saudi consulate in Yemen's city of Aden. The statement said he will undergo medical tests and be reunited with his family soon.

Saudi Arabia says the diplomat was abducted in Aden in March 2012 by al-Qaida militants. The statement did not disclose further details surrounding how al-Khalidi was released.