4:25pm UK, Monday April 12, 2004

Kidnapped Briton Gary Teeley has paid tribute to the rescuers who ended his "nightmare" at the hands of Iraqi rebels.

Speaking to Arabic television, the 37-year-old said: "I would like to thank the people who ended my nightmare."

Teeley: 'End of a nightmare'

News of his release came as seven Chinese nationals became the latest foreigners to be kidnapped in Iraq.

The fate of other foreign hostages, an American and three Japanese civilians, remains uncertain.

Mr Teeley was handed over to Italian troops early on Sunday after being snatched from the southern city of Nasiriyah.

The father-of-five was taken to an Italian field hospital for check-ups following his ordeal.

He told the al Jazeera news channel: "I am very tired and I need a shave."

Originally from Woolwich, south-east London, he has lived in Qatar for the last three years with his wife and son working as a laundry firm consultant.

His tearful mother, Patricia, 60, who spoke to him hours after his release, said: "When he comes home I will hit him for going out there in the first place but I also want to hug him and love him.

"He may be 37 but he is still my boy."

Mrs Teeley, from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, is planning a huge birthday party for her son, who turned 37 while in captivity.

She said: "I asked him if he was badly hurt, and he said, 'I am not too bad', but I think he has been hurt and he would not really tell me."

Families of other foreign captives are still awaiting for news of their loved ones, kidnapped in a growing tactic by militants to grab civilians.

Relatives of American civilian Thomas Hamill, 43, were waiting to learn what had happened to him after a Sunday morning deadline imposed by his abductors passed.

Three Japanese hostages were also expected to have been released on Sunday but negotiations are still ongoing.