Updated

Iraqi gunmen released three veteran NBC (search) journalists and an Iraqi freelancer Friday, three days after the group was captured in Fallujah (search), NBC said in a statement.

The statement said local Iraqi leaders helped mediate with "armed Iraqis," who let the reporters go "after their identities as working journalists became clear."

NBC identified the four as correspondent Ned Colt, cameraman Maurice Roper, soundman Robert Colvill and freelance Iraqi journalist Ashraf Al Taie. It said they appeared to be in good health.

The group's Tuesday capture was never announced for security reasons, NBC said.