British and Canadian hostages freed in Iraq

The British Embassy in Baghdad has reported that US and Iraqi forces freed British man Norman Kember and two Canadian hostages early today in a military operation.

The Iraqi Interior Ministry said the captives were freed in a town north of Baghdad.

British officials in Baghdad said those freed were Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32; and Briton Norman Kember, 74.

The hostage aid workers, members of the Chicago-based Christian Peacemakers Teams, disappeared on November 26. The previously unknown Swords of Righteousness Brigades claimed responsibility for kidnapping them.

One of the hostages, US citizen Tom Fox, 54, of Clear Brook, Virginia, was believed to have been killed by his captors last month. His body was found in Baghdad on March 11.

Iraqi police Lieutenant Colonel Falah al-Mohammedawi said the operation to free the hostages took place in Mishahda, 20 miles north of Baghdad.

The three were taken to hospital after they were freed, but it was not known if they were injured in the operation or just in need of medical attention after their long ordeal.