A British yacht couple who were seized by pirates have been temporarily reunited after weeks of separation, a Somali doctor has said.
Dr Mohamed Elmi Hangul, of Medina Hospital, said Paul and Rachel Chandler were suffering from anxiety brought on by their separation.
The pair were seized from their yacht, Lynn Rival, in October and have been held apart for most of their captivity.
Dr Hangul said the pirates had phoned him to say the couple had been temporarily reunited.
Dr Hangul treated Mr and Mrs Chandler for various ailments last month at the invitation of their kidnappers.
The pirates have demanded millions of dollars for the Chandlers' release but the family do not have the money and the British Government does not pay kidnappers.
Dr Hangul said: "The hostages are suffering from diseases... Paul was suffering just pain and coughs and (Rachel) Chandler was suffering from mental disorders, especially restlessness, palpitations and she was very anxious, because she was worrying about the separation between her and her husband.
"A new case of eye infection emerged later, (the pirates) informed me by telephone that Paul was taking eye drops, Paul told me that he finished the eye drops," he said.
He has not seen the Chandlers since.
The Chandlers are highest-profile of more than 130 sailors held captive on the Somali coast. The couple's plight has garnered more attention than that of hostages from developing countries such as India and the Philippines, who make up the bulk of the captives.
