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Aid workers held in Sudan 'free' Aid workers held in Sudan 'free'
(20 minutes later)
Three aid workers kidnapped in the Darfur region of Sudan are free, Italy's foreign ministry says.Three aid workers kidnapped in the Darfur region of Sudan are free, Italy's foreign ministry says.
The Medecins Sans Frontieres staff were abducted on Wednesday along with two local staff who were later released. The Medecins Sans Frontieres staff were captured on Wednesday. A Sudanese captive was also freed, Italy said.
Earlier Sudan's government said it knew where the three were, and was holding discussions on their release.Earlier Sudan's government said it knew where the three were, and was holding discussions on their release.
The snatchings follow Sudan's expulsion of 13 aid groups last week, after President Omar al-Bashir was indicted by the International Criminal Court. The snatchings followed Sudan's expulsion of 13 aid groups, after President Omar al-Bashir was indicted by the International Criminal Court.
The kidnapped staff were a Canadian nurse, an Italian doctor and a French co-ordinator.The kidnapped staff were a Canadian nurse, an Italian doctor and a French co-ordinator.
Catholic missionary news agency MISNA earlier named them as Laura Archer, Mauro D'Ascanio and Raphael Meonier.Catholic missionary news agency MISNA earlier named them as Laura Archer, Mauro D'Ascanio and Raphael Meonier.
They are working for MSF's Belgian branch, which was not among those aid agencies kicked out by the government.They are working for MSF's Belgian branch, which was not among those aid agencies kicked out by the government.
The Italian statement announcing the captives' freedom did not give details of how their release came about.
The kidnappers' identities were not immediately clear but North Darfur's governor said on Thursday they were bandits looking for a cash ransom.The kidnappers' identities were not immediately clear but North Darfur's governor said on Thursday they were bandits looking for a cash ransom.
The aid workers were taken at gunpoint from their office at Saraf Umra, some 230km (143 miles) west of the North Darfur capital El Fasher.The aid workers were taken at gunpoint from their office at Saraf Umra, some 230km (143 miles) west of the North Darfur capital El Fasher.
'Lives at risk''Lives at risk'
On Thursday, MSF - whose Dutch and French chapters were among the 13 groups ordered out of Darfur - moved its remaining staff to the capital, Khartoum.On Thursday, MSF - whose Dutch and French chapters were among the 13 groups ordered out of Darfur - moved its remaining staff to the capital, Khartoum.
Although banditry is common in parts of the region, this is thought to be the first kidnapping of Western aid workers since two Britons were briefly detained by Darfur rebels in 2005.Although banditry is common in parts of the region, this is thought to be the first kidnapping of Western aid workers since two Britons were briefly detained by Darfur rebels in 2005.
The UN has said President Bashir's decision to order out the 13 aid groups has placed more than one million lives at risk.The UN has said President Bashir's decision to order out the 13 aid groups has placed more than one million lives at risk.
He is accused by the ICC at The Hague of seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region - in the court's first warrant against a sitting president.He is accused by the ICC at The Hague of seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region - in the court's first warrant against a sitting president.
A group of church leaders in Sudan has criticised the ICC's move.A group of church leaders in Sudan has criticised the ICC's move.
In a joint statement, the 13 church leaders said the court case would have a negative effect on the country and urged the government to find quick alternatives for the expelled aid missions.In a joint statement, the 13 church leaders said the court case would have a negative effect on the country and urged the government to find quick alternatives for the expelled aid missions.
The UN estimates that 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million been displaced since black African rebels took up arms in 2003 against the Arab-dominated regime demanding a greater share of resources and power.The UN estimates that 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million been displaced since black African rebels took up arms in 2003 against the Arab-dominated regime demanding a greater share of resources and power.