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Abducted Western tourists freed Abducted Western tourists freed
(10 minutes later)
A group of Western tourists and their Egyptian guides, who were kidnapped 10 days ago, have been freed.A group of Western tourists and their Egyptian guides, who were kidnapped 10 days ago, have been freed.
The 11 hostages - five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian - and their guides are said to be in good health.The 11 hostages - five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian - and their guides are said to be in good health.
The group was abducted by gunmen in a remote border region of Egypt. They are now said to be en route to Cairo.The group was abducted by gunmen in a remote border region of Egypt. They are now said to be en route to Cairo.
They have been moved around a lawless desert region touching on the borders of Egypt, Sudan, Libya and Chad. Their exact whereabouts is unclear.They have been moved around a lawless desert region touching on the borders of Egypt, Sudan, Libya and Chad. Their exact whereabouts is unclear.
The release of the Westerners was reported on Egyptian state television and confirmed by the Italian foreign ministry.The release of the Westerners was reported on Egyptian state television and confirmed by the Italian foreign ministry.
The kidnappers had demanded that Germany take charge of payment of an $8.8m (£4.9m) ransom. It is unclear if any payment was exchanged.The kidnappers had demanded that Germany take charge of payment of an $8.8m (£4.9m) ransom. It is unclear if any payment was exchanged.
News of the release comes a day after Sudanese troops clashed with alleged kidnappers in northern Sudan, killing six gunmen. Another two were taken into custody.News of the release comes a day after Sudanese troops clashed with alleged kidnappers in northern Sudan, killing six gunmen. Another two were taken into custody.
The two suspects claimed the tourists were in Chad but their exact whereabouts at the time of rescue remains unclear.The two suspects claimed the tourists were in Chad but their exact whereabouts at the time of rescue remains unclear.
In a statement, the military said the vehicle of the hostage-takers was full of weapons and documents detailing how the ransom should have been paid.In a statement, the military said the vehicle of the hostage-takers was full of weapons and documents detailing how the ransom should have been paid.
Other documents found inside led the army to believe a faction of the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Army was involved in the kidnapping.Other documents found inside led the army to believe a faction of the Darfur rebel Sudan Liberation Army was involved in the kidnapping.
None of Darfur's numerous rebel groups have said they were linked to the kidnappings.None of Darfur's numerous rebel groups have said they were linked to the kidnappings.