Abducted aid workers may be free "shortly"-report

By Andrew Heavens

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Two female aid workers kidnapped in Sudan's Darfur region are in good health and could be released "shortly," a government official told state media on Wednesday.

Sudan's state Suna news agency quoted a "source" from the country's ministry of humanitarian affairs saying the women had already been contacted by representatives from their home countries, Ireland and Uganda.

Up to eight men seized the workers for Irish aid group GOAL from their compound in the north Darfur town of Kutum Friday -- the third kidnapping of foreigners in the remote western region in four months.

"The source said that the two abductees are in a good health condition, adding that they were contacted by their respective countries, Ireland and Uganda," reported Suna.

"He expected the two abductees to be set free shortly," read the Suna report.

Sudan's state minister for humanitarian affairs Abdel Baqi al-Jailani earlier told Reuters officials had pinpointed the location of the kidnapped women but declined to name the area for fear of jeopardising negotiations.

Ireland's foreign minister said the government was optimistic the women would be released.

"It's taking time but we have to be patient and we are hopeful that we can bring about a satisfactory outcome to this," Micheal Martin told Ireland's state broadcaster.