The prayers of so many people have been answered today Dr George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury

Mr Waite said his captors had told him they would free the remaining three American hostages - Joseph Cicippio, Alan Steen and Terry Anderson - by the end of the month.

His captors had apologised for kidnapping him and admitted hostage taking served no useful purpose, Mr Waite added.

Thomas Sutherland told the conference they had seen Terry Anderson - the longest-held hostage - just before their release.

Mr Sutherland said: ''We left Terry Anderson about three or four hours ago in Lebanon and he is no longer chained to the wall, thank God, but he is still in a room that has very little fresh air and no daylight whatsoever."

The release of Terry Waite and Thomas Sutherland means there are now five Western hostages left in Beirut - three Americans and two Germans.

After the release of Mr Waite and Mr Sutherland were confirmed bells rang out at St Bride's Church, in Fleet Street, London, where vigils have been held on behalf of Mr Waite and other hostages.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, said he was "delighted" at the news.

''The prayers of so many people have been answered today and we thank God for news of his release,'' Dr Carey said.

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