All the three UN hostages were released unharmed and without any deal with the hostage takers, Afghan interior minister announced in Kabul Tuesday.

"I am pleased to announce that the three UN employees were released after three weeks of ordeal today about 6 o'clock without any preconditions," Ali Ahmad Jalali told a crowded press conference.

The three, Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland, Shqapy Hebibi from Kosovo and Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan worked to help monitor the country's first presidential elections were abducted on Oct. 28

Belonging to a little-known Jaishul-e-Muslimeen or the Army of Muslims, the abductors linked the release of the trio to the release of 26 Taliban leaders from the US custody.

"No money was paid and no demands of the hostage takers were met," the Afghan top security chief claimed.

He gave no more details about the location where the hostages had been kept or the identities of the hostage takers by saying "it would better not to disclose the details."

However, he admitted that a series of operations in and around Kabul had led to their release.

Police, the National Security Directorate, NATO-led peacekeeping force and US-dominated coalition through their joint operations also helped government to get the abductees released, he said.

"Between 10 and 12 suspected terrorists are in police custody over the abduction case and all those involved in this crime will be brought to justice," he added.

"All the three are in good condition and living with the UN," said Jalali.

"This release is a major defeat to terrorists who wanted to export an Iraq-style of hostage taking in Afghanistan," US Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad said in a statement hours after the hostages release.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2004)