Iraqi kidnappers have released a Turkish hostage who was threatened with beheading after his two employers agreed their demands to stop working in the country.
Al Arabiya television said the kidnappers of Mr Mithat Civi released him without receiving any ransom but repeated a warning that they would behead anyone who co-operated with US-led forces in Iraq.
Turkey's Renay International Transport Company and Kuwaiti Saqr company both said yesterday they would suspend operations in Iraq after militants said they would behead Mr Civi.
A Turkish foreign ministry official in Ankara confirmed the captive had been released.
At least two Turkish truck drivers have been killed by their abductors in Iraq in recent months. Several others have been released after their employers agreed to pull out of Iraq.
Despite the Turkish government's warnings, truck drivers continue to cross into Iraq from Turkey because of higher pay. Economic links between the two neighbours are growing as Iraq struggles to rebuild its shattered infrastructure.
Militants have embarked on a campaign of kidnappings since April. Several hostages have been freed but more than 20 have been killed, some by decapitation.
The hostages being held include two French journalists who were seized earlier this month by a group calling itself the Islamic Army in Iraq.