Update: German Hostage Freed

Susanne Osthoff, a German "revert" to Islam, and her Iraqi translator, have been freed in Iraq.

German archeologist Susanne Osthoff, who was kidnapped in Iraq last month, is free, Foreign Minister Steinmeier confirmed Sunday evening.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier confirmed in an evening press conference that Susanne Osthoff had been freed. Since Sunday she had been in safety at the German embassy in Baghdad, and she was in good health, he said.

The kidnappers had said they would also release her driver, he added.

Steinmeier said that in the name of the German government, he wished to thank everyone who had contributed to Osthoff's release. He took the opportunity to point out that hostages are still being held by kidnappers in Iraq.

Steinmeier refused to respond to further questions about Osthoff's release. "Not tonight," he told journalists.

Details concerning her release have not yet been made public, nor is it known whether ransom was paid.

Oh my, yes, it's a total mystery. We'll hear how much in a few days, as usual.