Bangladesh Ambassador to Kuwait Nazrul Islam Khan last night told the BBC Bangla Service: "We've just talked with Mr Faruk in Baghdad. The IAI unconditionally released him two days back."

However, the government has not confirmed a date for his return home as yet.

Faruk, 42, had lost his Bangladeshi passport, but a new passport has already been sent to him under the government's special permission, the envoy said.

"The IAI only told him not to drive trucks in Iraq on behalf of the US military," Nazrul added.

He further said Faruk was in custody of the Iraqi interior minister until yesterday and now he is at the Indian high commissioner's house in Baghdad.

Faruk spoke to his wife and brother yesterday over telephone, he added.

UNB adds: Faruk's family in the southeastern district of Feni was informed about his release by local government officials yesterday.

Faruk and his Sri Lankan colleague were picked up en route to a US base 60km off the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on October 28. They were transporting supplies to the base for a private Kuwaiti transport company.

Qatar-based private TV channel Al-Jazeera aired footage of the pair, reporting they were held hostages by the IAI the next day.