Three Western Christian aid workers have been rescued in Iraq during a joint operation by US and British forces.
The three are Canadians Harmeet Sooden (32) and Jim Loney (41), and Briton Norman Kember (74).
Screen grabs from videos of the three men released to Al Jazeera television earlier this month
The three, from the Christian Peacemaker Teams, were snatched in Baghdad in November by a previously unknown group called the Swords of Truth.
The tortured body of their American colleague Tom Fox (54) was found dumped in the city two weeks ago.
The three were last seen in a video dated February 28th that was broadcast on an Arab satellite channel.
Maj Gen Rick Lynch, the US military spokesman, said the hostages were being held by a "kidnapping cell," and the operation to free them was based on information from a man who was captured by US forces last night.
Maj Lynch said no kidnappers were present when the US-British force broke into a house in western Baghdad. There were no shots fired.
Before going to Baghdad on a four-month rotation, each of the four men signed a statement rejecting kidnapping and hostage-taking as well as the use of force to rescue them if they were taken.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Mr Kember had been taken to the high security Green Zone in Baghdad and was in "reasonable condition". Mr Straw said he was "delighted" at the news.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that British troops had played a "prominent role" in the rescue operation. But a spokesman declined to comment on reports that soldiers from the SAS were involved or that the captors were not present when the raid took place.
"We can confirm that the operation was carried out by multi-national forces including British forces," said the MoD. "British forces did play a prominent role in the rescue."
Veteran peace campaigner and family friend Bruce Kent tonight visited Mrs Kember at the couple's home in Pinner, Middlesex.
Mr Kent said Prof Kember had spoken to his wife twice on the phone since his release in Baghdad this morning. Mrs Kember has spent the day in the house without speaking to the massed media outside.
Although there were no outward signs of celebration today, Mr Kent said the family was planning a huge party when Prof Kember returned in the coming days. It is thought he will return to the UK within the week, added Mr Kent.
In a statement, members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams in North America said their "hearts are filled with joy" at the news.
"Harmeet, Jim and Norman and Tom were in Iraq to learn of the struggles facing the people in that country. They went motivated by a passion for justice and peace to live out a non-violent alternative in a nation wracked by armed conflict.
"They knew that their only protection was in the power of the love of God and of their Iraqi and international co-workers," the statement said.
"We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by multi-national forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq. The occupation must end."
At least 430 foreigners and thousands of Iraqis have been taken hostage in Iraq since the 2003 US occupation. Fifty-five foreign hostages are now known to have been killed by their captors.
Two Germans, two Kenyans and US journalist Jill Carroll are among those still being held.