20091215

(Xinhua) -- Two staff members of the United Nations and African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), who were abducted on Aug. 29, have been freed and arrived in Al Fasher, North Darfur, on Monday, the UNAMID said in a statement issued in Khartoum.

"They were on their way to their respective countries," the statement said, adding that "Patrick and Pamela went free on Sunday after 107 days of abduction."

UNAMID Joint Special Representative ad interim, Henry Anyidoho, led the welcoming team at Al Fasher Airport and expressed gratification for their freedom and safety.

"We are all very happy and relieved that they will be able to have a reunion with their families, particularly with their children who had to wait for their parents for so long and under a great deal of uncertainty," Anyidoho said in the statement.

He thanked the government of Sudan for its efforts to bring the abduction to an end.

"The government has consistently assured UNAMID that Pamela and Patrick would be released unharmed and we are extremely grateful and happy that this has been the case. I have already spoken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to convey my appreciation for their efforts and will send notes of thanks to all officials involved," he added.

However, the statement did neither disclose the details on how the two UNAMID staff members were freed, nor the identifications of the abductors.