BAGHDAD, Aug 1 (AFP) - A tribal leader who was negotiating for the release of seven foreign truck drivers kidnapped in Iraq said on Sunday that he had withdrawn from efforts to free the hostages.
"I am withdrawing because I have reached no agreement with the (men's employer) Kuwaitis," Sheikh Hisham al-Dulaimi said.
In the Kenyan capital, Foreign Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere said the seven drivers, including three Kenyans, had been released and were safely in the Egyptian embassy in Iraq.
Dulaimi said he had received a letter signed by the commander of the Islamic Secret Army saying that if the negotiations had not been successful by 6:00 pm (1400 GMT), he should withdraw from the talks.
The communique said the kidnappers would then take the "appropriate measures with regard to the hostages," Dulaimi said.