At least 12 European tourists were kidnapped by suspected separatist rebels in a remote desert region of Ethiopia, diplomats in Addis Ababa said Friday.

Two groups of foreign trekkers — between seven and 10 from France, and five Britons — were travelling separately in two convoys in the Afar desert 800 kilometres northeast of the Ethiopian capital when they were abducted Wednesday night.

A tour operator in the area said the groups — both on organized treks — were seized by armed men. The operator asked not to be named because of the sensitive security situation in the area.

In a statement issued in London, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the five missing British citizens were "members of staff or relatives of members of staff, at our embassy in Addis Ababa." 

The Ethiopian authorities "are doing all they can to resolve the situation peaceably," Becket said.

Quoting unnamed British diplomats, the BBC is reporting that there is a "national security dimension" to the abduction, but giving no further details. That's a suggestion the abducted embassy staff have espionage-related duties.

British and French officials said it's believed that the two groups are being held separately.

Visitors need armed guards

An Ethiopian government spokesman said his government is still awaiting confirmation of the abductions because of the remoteness of the area.

The Afar desert, bordered by Eritrea, is home to a decades-old separatist movement, and is also one of the hottest and driest parts of the country.

Ethiopia requires visitors to the area to travel in convoys with armed guards.

A group of Italian tourists were kidnapped by separatist rebels from the Afar desert in 1995 but released unharmed after several weeks.