Chinese hostages released in Iraq: Al-Arabiya

Eight Chinese hostages held by Iraqi insurgents have been released, the Al-Arabiya television station said Saturday, citing a statement by their captors.

"The eight Chinese were freed and handed to the Committee of Muslim Scholars," it reported.

Meanwhile, Al-Jazeera TV also reported that the Chinese hostages had been released by the armed group.

The eight Chinese, aged between 18 and 40 and identified as citizens from Pingtan County, east China's Fujian Province, to seek jobs in Iraq, were abducted en route to Jordan by gunmen fromthe Islamic Resistance Nu'man Brigade, according to a video tape released by the group on Tuesday.

The Chinese government has been making every effort it can to secure the release of the eight Chinese workers.

Source: Xinhua