M A I N   N E W S

3 Indian hostages released in Iraq

Dubai, September 1
Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL) today said seven truck drivers, including three Indians, have been freed by their captors.

In New Delhi, Union External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh said the release of hostages is a matter of great relief.

However, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamad said the release achieved without compromising on India's policy.

"We just got custody of the drivers," Rana Abu Zaineh, a spokeswoman for KGL told Reuters. The kidnappers, a group calling itself the Black Banners Division of the Islamic Secret Army, had demanded that KGL end its work in Iraq first, and KGL complied.

Al Arabiya television showed the seven hostages from Kenya, India and Egypt after their release. The smiling men appeared to be in good health and said they were treated well by their captors.

"We didn't sleep from happiness. Thank God, everyone helped us," the Egyptian hostage, Mohamed Ali Sanad, told Al Arabiya. Reuters