Rebels release 13 UN workers in South Sudan

Rebel fighters in South Sudan have released 13 United Nations workers who were held hostage for a week, the UN has said.

Around 100 rebel fighters, who have been battling the government for almost two years, seized 31 members of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) last week.

While 18 Bangladeshi peacekeepers were freed soon after their capture, the 13 remaining UN workers - all South Sudanese nationals - were released by the rebels on Sunday, UNMISS said on Monday.

The UN had last week said that only 12 were still being held. However, it said 13 were released on Sunday.

The rebels had captured the men after seizing a UN barge carrying fuel along the Nile River.

While the barge was also given back, the UN said that rebels had stolen the 55,000 litres of fuel it was carrying, as well as communications equipment, an inflatable boat and seven weapons.

UN chief in South Sudan Ellen Margrethe Loj said she was "relieved by the safe release of all UN personnel."

She had previously warned that the kidnap "may constitute a war crime".

Some 12,500 peacekeepers are deployed in South Sudan, which has been wracked by conflict since late 2013.

A political row between South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar erupted into violence in December 2013. 

Tens of thousands of people have been killed, and UN-backed experts have warned of the "concrete risk of famine" before the end of the year, if fighting continues and aid does not reach the hardest hit areas.