The ICRC has handed over the hostage to Chinese authorities in Agadez, a northern town of Niger near which he was kidnapped, an ICRC spokeswoman told Xinhua by telephone.

She could not confirm whether the Chinese national was in good health, but said there was a nurse with the ICRC team and if the hostage had any health problem he could be cared for.

Together with the Chinese national, three injured soldiers belonging to the Niger armed forces were also returned to the Agadez. All four had been held by the rebel Movement of Niger People for Justice.