Five British soldiers released in Sierra Leone

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone -- Five British soldiers have been released by their captors.

The rebel West Side Boys militia, which carried out the kidnapping, are believed to still be holding six other British troops and a Sierra Leonean solider.

Lieutenant Commander Tony Cramp, a British military spokesman in Sierra Leone, told CNN.com that the soldiers belonging to the Royal Irish Regiment had been released at about 2130 GMT and appeared in good health.

They are understood to be in the hands of UK military personnel and will be moved to the Freetown area, he added.

ALSO The 'boys' spreading terror in Sierra Leone Key events in Sierra Leone's history     MESSAGE BOARD Crisis in Sierra Leone

Cramp said: "I can confirm that five soldiers have been released but we have no information as to why or how they were released."

Negotiators resumed face-to-face talks on Wednesday with the West Side Boys and although few details have been released it was revealed officials were able to see one of the captives.

Before the hostage releases, Cramp had told CNN.com: "There was direct contact between one of the negotiators and one of the soldiers being held.

"We have been able to ascertain that all the soldiers are alive and well and in good spirits."

British army officials have admitted the kidnapped soldiers could have been deep inside territory held by the West Side Boys militia when they were captured on Friday.

The comments followed claims by the commander of the U.N. peacekeeping force in the West African state that the soldiers, from the Royal Irish Regiment, had not informed the U.N. of their intention to travel in the area where they were kidnapped.

Nigerian General Mohammed Garba denied a statement by Britain that the men were captured while driving back to Freetown after meeting Jordanian peacekeepers near the town of Masiaka, around 75km (47 miles) to the east of the capital.

British military officials in Freetown played down any argument between U.N. and British army commanders on Wednesday.

"The general stated that he believed the soldiers may have been seized in rebel territory and we are not disputing that," said Cramp.

"The fact is that we don't know and we won't know until we have had a chance to speak to the men themselves after their release. That is our priority."

British and U.N. officials are working together, he said, to try to bring the hostage crisis to a speedy and successful conclusion.

The first face-to-face talks between the hostages and the West Side Boys took place on Tuesday. One of the group's leaders, who is known as Brigadier Kalla, was present.

Relatives of the rebel group have said they will travel to the West Side Boys' bush stronghold to try to persuade the renegade troops to hand over their hostages.

The West Side Boys are soldiers from the former Sierra Leone army who claim loyalty to the military junta which ruled the country in 1997-8.

They have become known for their brutality and ill-discipline, and in recent weeks have broken away from the Sierra Leone army.

The rebel demands remain unclear although some reports suggest they are calling for one of their leaders, known as Bomb Blast, to be freed from prison.

The members of the Royal Irish Regiment are among some 400 British troops in the West African state to train the new Sierra Leone army.

Negotiators meet Sierra Leone hostage
August 29, 2000
Hopes still high for release of British soldiers in Sierra Leone
August 28, 2000

Sierra Leone on the Web
Sierra Leone Civil Defense Force
UNHCR Country Profile: Sierra Leone
Amnesty International 1999 Annual Report on Sierra Leone

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.