The Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North has released the 29 Chinese workers detained for 11 days in South Kordofan.

SPLM-N spokesman Arnu Ngutulu Lodi told Radio Tamazuj the release was coordinated between the SPLM-N, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Chinese government.

Lodi said the workers were transferred by a plane belonging to the ICRC from Kauda airport to Nairobi, in preparation for their extradition to China.

The spokesman said the Chinese workers were not held as hostages by the SPLM-N, but were being protected by the movement during battles with government forces.

The Foreign Ministry confirmed that it allowed the ICRC plane to transport the workers to Nairobi from Kauda airport, and hand them over to the Chinese Embassy.