DR Congo hostages freed

BUTEMBO, Congo, July 29 (Reuters) - Congolese militiamen have released 17 Thais and a Kenyan from more than two months' captivity.

The hostages were freed in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo after a visit from Francois Lumumba, son of the country's assassinated first Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba.

Francois Lumumba is seen locally by the war-weary population as a symbol of the early hopes of the independent Congo.

Hostage negotiator Bent Ronsen told Reuters news agency: "(Lumumba's visit) was the condition of our obtaining their release."

Lumumba shook hands with militia chief General Lolwako before the hostages were told they could leave the camp.

The militia, which opposes foreign-backed rebels holding a large area of northeastern Congo, seized 24 Thais, the Kenyan and a Swede in mid-May from a compound of a Thai timber company.

Eight of the hostages were released in June in return for medicines and a truck.

The kidnappers originally demanded the withdrawal from DR Congo of all Ugandan and Rwandan troops who have sided with rebel forces trying to overthrow the government.

The freed hostages were taken to Butembo town, from where they were due to be flown to Uganda on Sunday.