Seven truck drivers from Egypt, Kenya and India held by militants in Iraq since July 21 have been released, Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV reported Wednesday.

Three Kenyans, three Indians and an Egyptian appeared in interviews with the al-Arabiya channel, looking in good mood and healthy.

The seven hostages were kidnapped on July 21 by a group calling itself "Holders of the Black Banners" affiliated to a group called "Secret Islamic Army".

All of them were working for the Kuwait and Gulf Link company.

The kidnappers threatened to kill the hostages unless their Kuwaiti employer halts operations in Iraq.

The freed hostages were first delivered to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Baghdad and later transferred to the Baghdad International Airport accompanied by a representative of the Kuwaiti company, al-Arabiya reported.

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2004)