KHARTOUM - Twenty-nine Chinese hostages abducted in Sudan are expected to be released within 48 hours with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Sudanese media reported on Monday.

"The mediation led by the ICRC between Khartoum and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) leaders has made important progress and expected to bear fruit within 48 hours," the Khartoum's Al-Ahdath daily said.

A group belonging to the SPLM/northern sector on January 28 attacked a camp of a Chinese company operating at road construction site in South Kordofan State.

The rebels abducted 29 of the total 47 Chinese workers in the camp, while the other 18 workers fled to neighboring areas. The Sudanese army found 17 Chinese workers later and transported them to a safe place, but one worker is still missing.