Kurds party releases Turkish hostages

KIRKUK, Iraq, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The Kurdish regional government in Iraq Sunday cooperated with local leaders to help release eight Turkish soldiers held as hostages.

Members of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, kidnapped the Turkish soldiers Oct 21.

Their release comes as a result of the efforts of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Kurdish regional President Masoud Barzani and Kurdish regional Prime Minister Nijervan Barzani, the Kuwait News Agency, KUNA, reported Sunday.

A statement on a Web site affiliated with the Kurdish government said the soldiers were returned to the Turkish armed forces Sunday.