An American businessman held hostage for 10 months has been freed in Iraq.
Roy Hallums
Roy Hallums (57) was "in good condition and is receiving medical care," a military statement said after US forces freed him and an unidentified Iraqi from the farmhouse 15 miles south of Baghdad.
The kidnappers, who had kept their captive bound and gagged, escaped after US troops were tipped off about the location of the hostage.
A military spokesman said the tipster whose information led to Mr Hallums's release was captured just a few hours before the operation.
Mr Hallums was kidnapped at gunpoint from his office in the Mansour district of Baghdad on November 1st, 2004. At the time, he was working for the Saudi Arabian Trading and Construction Co., supplying food to the Iraqi army.
An Iraqi guard and one attacker were killed in the attack. The kidnappers also seized a Filipino, a Nepalese and three Iraqis but later freed them.
More than 200 foreigners have been abducted in Iraq since the war began in March 2003, and over 30 have been killed.