Kidnapped Hungarian peacekeeper released in Sudan

Hungarian peacekeeper István Papp, who was kidnapped in Sudan in early October, has been freed. The news was forwarded by the Sudanese foreign minister to his Hungarian counterpart over the phone on Wednesday.

Ali Ahmed Karti told Hungary's János Martonyi that Papp is in good health and is on his way to Cairo, a statement from the Hungarian Foreign Ministry said.

Martonyi thanked the Sudanese authorities for their assistance in facilitating the release of the Hungarian hostage.

Papp, a retired lieutenant-colonel, who was participating in UN operations to demobilise child soldiers in the province, was taken hostage by gunmen in his home in El Fasher on October 7.