Three Spanish journalists who were believed to have been kidnapped in Syria last year have been released. The three men - Antonio Pampliega, Jose Manuel Lopez and Angel Sastre - went missing last July.

At that time, they were working on a report in the northern city of Aleppo. Some Spanish media said they were held by al Qaeda's Syrian wing, the Nusra Front. A source close to the Spanish government said they are now in Turkey, and are expected to return home on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, Spain's acting Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria has made contact with them. A Spanish government source also said their release had been "possible, thanks to the collaboration of allies and friends, especially in the final phase from Turkey and Qatar".