Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said Tuesday that he hoped the eight released Chinese citizens will come back to China within a day or two.

Kong made the remarks when responding to journalists at a regular press conference. He said the eight citizens failed to leave Baghdad on Monday due to some problems with the flight.

Kong said he believed the Chinese Embassy in Iraq will make the utmost efforts and take the safest measures to let the eight released citizens back to China as soon as possible.

Kong confirmed Sunday that the eight kidnapped Chinese citizens had come to the Chinese Embassy in Iraq on Sunday.