Jordanian hostages released in Khartoum

Riad Al- Najada, acting Jordanian Ambassador to Khartoum, has confirmed that the Jordanians abducted last year in Darfur were released. Hostages Hassan Mizwada and Qasim Al Sarhan arrived in Khartoum on Wednesday afternoon accompanied by one of the UN mission leaders working in Darfur. Members of the Jordanian embassy in Khartoum and representatives of the Sudanese government and security services were present to greet them. The hostages, released in Darfur after more than four months in captivity, are said to be in good health overall. However, Najada confirmed that they were suffering from shock and emaciation due to the conditions of their detention. The freed hostages were too exhausted to make any remarks to reporters. Najada told Arabstoday on Wednesday evening: "they have just left the Sudanese hospital for the Intelligence and Security Services after all the necessary medical examinations." On behalf of the Jordanian government, Najada thanked Sudan's leadership, government and people for their efforts in helping with the release, revealing that the hostages will be heading to Jordan in the next few hours. Najada assert that he has “no idea” if the kidnappers got money for their release, stressing that negotiations were aimed at releasing them with minimum losses and without submitting to the kidnappers' demands. Kidnappings for ransom in Sudan's western region have seen an increase in recent years.