VIENNA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The two Austrians kidnapped in Tunisia late February this year by al-Qaida returned to their homeland on Saturday, Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik told a press conference at the Vienna International Airport.

    The two hostages were picked up and driven away immediately after their landing. Plassnik explained that they are weak and need to rest.

A video grab shows freed Austrian hostages Andrea Kloiber (L) and Wolfgang Ebner standing in front of the Mali national flag during a news conference in Bamako, Mali Nov. 1, 2008.The two Austrians kidnapped in Tunisia late February this year by al-Qaida returned to their homeland on Saturday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Austrian Foreign Ministry also said that the two hostages want to temporarily "avoid public and media" after returning to Austria. They need "rest and thorough health check."

    According to a press release issued by Austrian Foreign Ministry on Saturday, Mali President Amadou Toumani Toure handed over the two hostages to the Austrian delegation led by Plassnik in Mali's Capital Bamako early in the day.

    The accompanying medical team has carried out initial health check to the two Austrians and believed that their health conditions were "quite good", and only "looked exhausted."

A video grab shows Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik (L) speaking to the media as freed Austrian hostages Andrea Kloiber (front C) and Wolfgang Ebner (front R) smile next to her after a news conference in Bamako, Mali Nov. 1, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The two freed Austrian hostages are Wolfgang Ebner, a 51-year-old tax consultant and his 43-year-old girlfriend Andrea Kloiber, who were kidnapped on Feb. 22 this year while driving through Sahara within the boundaries of Tunisia.

    The al-Qaida in Islamic Maghreb, which is believed to be al-Qaida's North African wing had claimed responsibility for abducting the pair.

    The kidnappers had requested Austria to impose influence to release all al-Qaida members who were held in imprisonment in Tunisia and Algeria and pay 5-million-euro (some 6.38 million U.S. dollars) ransom.

    After being rejected by Austrian government, the kidnappers had twice extended the deadlines with no further request of freeing prisoners and a lowered ransom payment, but Austria still refused to pay any ransom.

    Immediately after the hostages were freed, some media reported a ransom was paid, only much lower, which was firmly denied by Anton Prohaska, Austrian special representative on rescuing hostages. He noted that Austria "respects the obligations set by international laws" and paid no ransom to kidnappers. Some important figures in northern Mali played "a key role" in the releasing of the two Austrians.

    Austrian Foreign Minister Plassnik also denied any ransom payment, emphasizing that they were freed "on a humanitarian way." She also expressed her thanks to Mali, which acted as an important partner in rescuing hostages.