It is understood that Mr Noonan was held by armed bandits not aligned to any of the rebel groups who have waged a guerrilla war against Sudan's government since 2003. The worst of the fighting in Darfur has now passed, but groups of armed men have taken advantage of the continuing lack of state-imposed security to target aid workers to steal their vehicles, communication equipment and personal belongings. Mr Noonan's release was negotiated by South Darfur authorities alongside British hostage release experts drafted in by the British embassy in Khartoum, and United Nations specialists. No ransom was paid, officials stressed. "It is with great pleasure that we can confirm the release of the British hostage Patrick Noonan, who was kidnapped in Sudan three months ago," said Henry Bellingham, Africa minister at the Foreign Office. Patrick's family and friends must be delighted, having endured the ordeal of his captivity with great strength and dignity. The United Nations' most senior official in Darfur, Ibrahim Gambari, who heads the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission, called on Khartoum to track down the kidnappers. "It is now crucial that the government of Sudan authorities pursue the hostage-takers and bring them to justice," he said. Mr Noonan is undergoing medical checks and will return to Britain by the weekend, a Western diplomat in Khartoum with knowledge of yesterday's events told The Daily Telegraph. He had already spoken to his children by telephone, the diplomat added.