Afghan President Hamid Karzai today praised the work of his Interior Ministry and security forces in securing the release of a kidnapped Italian aid worker after 24 days in captivity.
Clementina Cantoni (32) was released unharmed last night. The government said she was fine and had been held hostage by a criminal gang. No ransom had been paid or concessions given for her freedom, it said.
"The president praises the hard work of the Ministry of the Interior and other security forces, the valuable efforts of some ulema[legal scholars and tribal leaders], and the expression of solidarity by women's groups in Afghanistan, which together resulted in resolution of the hostage case," Mr Karzai's office said.
Ms Cantoni's abduction had mobilised protesters in Italy and Afghanistan where she had been living for three years and working for the Care International aid agency helping impoverished widows.
Four gunmen had seized Ms Cantoni from a car on a Kabul street on May 16th.
Her abduction raised fresh fears of Iraq-style kidnappings by anti-government insurgents or criminals. She had appeared in a videotape on May 29th looking tense and flanked by two men pointing rifles at her.
Officials have declined to reveal the kidnappers' demands or identity except to say they were criminals, not Islamic militants.
Italian officials said Ms Cantoni would spend the night at the embassy in Kabul before flying to Rome today.