afrol News, 2 January - Two aid workers of the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) - Mercedes Garcia and Pilar Bouzawere at last freed by their kidnappers in Puntland region, Somalia's Northern part.

The women, who work for the Spanish branch of MSF have since been sheltered in a hotel in Bosasso, the commercial capital of Puntland.

The Spanish doctor and Argentinian nurse were abducted by gunmen in a Somali port on December 26 as they were driving to a hospital in the region. The kidnappers put the medics at gunpoint before disappearing with them to a mountainous area.

The latest kidnapping followed that of a French cameraman held for eight days in the region.

But MSF Spain was angered by the development to the extent that it had withdrawn its foreign aid from Southern Somalia.

Two of the suspected kidnappers were arrested after an exchange of fire between them and Puntland police.

The UN Special Envoy for Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, had earlier released a statement demanding the unconditional release of the aid workers.

Most kidnappers in Puntland demand huge ransoms.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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