The federal government has intervened in the case of a Quebec woman who says she is being held against her will with her three children in Saudi Arabia.

Nathalie Morin, 24, is married to a Saudi Arabian man she met in Montreal when she was 17. They have three children, one of whom was born in Montreal.

Morin's family alleges she is being abused by her husband, and they say he won't let her return to Canada. The woman wants to be able to bring her children with her.

Last month, Canada's parliamentary secretary to the minister of foreign affairs was able to meet with Morin and her husband.

Deepak Obhrai said he tried to broker an agreement with the couple during the 45-minute meeting on Dec. 22.

However, for reasons of confidentiality he did not want to give any details.

The Bloc Québécois, which has been lobbying for Ottawa to get more involved in the case, said the meeting was a good first step.

The party is urging Ottawa will keep up the pressure to bring Morin home.

Consular officials have been working on the case since 2003.

The Foreign Affairs department's website states Canada's consulate in Saudi Arabia does not have the power to grant exit visas to Canadian citizens.

Under Saudi law, a wife needs her husband's permission not only to leave the country, but also to take her children with her.

With files from The Canadian Press