LONDON, March 23 (Xinhua) -- British aid worker Norman Kember and two Canadian peace maker held hostage in Iraq for almost four months have been freed following an overnight raid in Iraq spearheaded by British forces, Sky news reported Thursday.

    The 74-year-old Kember who was kidnapped on Nov. 28, said in a statement: "It's absolutely great to be free -- I'm very much looking forward to returning to the UK as soon as possible."

    Coalition forces found out the location where the men were held from two detainees arrested last night, said the report.

    Three hostages were bound but in "relatively good condition" when the house where they stayed in west Baghdad was raided. Kember together with the two Canadians have undergone medical checks.

    British Prime Minister Tony Blair congratulated those involved in the operation, saying he is "pleased for those released and their families".

    The men's release comes two weeks after the body of fellow hostage Tom Fox, 54, from the United States, was found in Baghdad.

    Fox's tortured death added fears for the remaining hostages, who had been shown on video dressed in orange boiler suits and blindfolded.

    Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said multi-national forces, including British military, were involved in the planned operation in the town of Mishahda, north of the capital and no one was hurt and no shots were fired. Enditem