Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle issued the following statement today (27 July) in Ljubljana on hearing about the release of the two German hostages in Sudan:

“I am extremely glad and relieved that the two German Technisches Hilfswerk aid workers kidnapped in Sudan have been freed.

The two men are currently safe in the care of the Sudanese authorities and will be brought to Khartoum sometime today. They are as well as can be expected after their ordeal.

For their tireless and successful efforts I thank the crisis unit team as well as all authorities involved with this case. I also thank the Sudanese Government for its support and cooperation.

We share the joy felt by the freed hostages, their families and friends.”

The two Germans were kidnapped five weeks ago in Darfur. They are currently in Nyala, on their way to Khartoum. Red cross staff members have already met them personally, and the German ambassador has spoken to them on the telephone.