Prime Minister Romano Prodi said journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo, 52, was admitted to a medical facility in the capital of southern Helmand province: "After so many days of waiting, I am delighted to confirm that [Italian journalist] Daniele Mastrogiacomo is at an emergency hospital in Lashkar Gah [in Helmand] at this moment, in good health, and therefore I expect that in a few days we will be able to embrace him."

Mastrogiacomo reportedly was handed over to Italian embassy officials in Kabul today. He was abducted in Helmand Province on March 4 along with his Afghan driver and an Afghan translator. The Taliban says it executed Mastrogiacomo's driver on March 16.

A Taliban military commander, Mullah Dadullah, also has confirmed Mastrogiacomo's release. Afghan private news agency Pajhwok quotes Dadullah as saying that Mastrogiacomo was freed after the Afghan government freed five Taliban prisoners.

There was no immediate comment from Afghan or Italian authorities on the reported exchange.