Filipino hostage released in Iraq

A Filipino truck driver held hostage in Iraq has been freed, a spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress said Tuesday.

"The (United Arab) Emirates embassy has freed the Filipino hostage," said spokesman Haider al Bandar. He could provide no further details.

A source at the Philippine embassy in Baghdad could not confirm that 46-year-old truck driver Angelo de la Cruz had been released.

On Monday, the Philippines withdrew the last of its troops from Iraq as demanded by the kidnappers to save the life of de la Cruz.