Australian Taliban hostage released after three years: PM Morrison

Morrison confirmed on Wednesday that he and Foreign Minister Marise Payne have spoken to Weeks' family, who he said are completely overjoyed that he is on his way home after 'three years of absolute hell'.

''We are profoundly pleased and relieved Australian Tim Weeks & his US colleague, Kevin King, who were held hostage since August 2016, have been released by their kidnappers today in Afghanistan. We convey deep appreciation to the Governments of the United States & Afghanistan '' Morrison said in a tweet.

''Tim’s family has asked for privacy. They have asked the Australian Government to convey their relief that their long ordeal is over, and their gratitude to all those who have contributed to Tim’s safe return,'' his tweet added.

According to the ABC News, Weeks and his American colleague Kevin King were released in Afghanistan's Zabul province on Tuesday and handed over to US forces, more than three years after they were kidnapped at gunpoint.

Weeks and King were working as teachers at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul when they were abducted.

Mervyn Weeks, Tim's father, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that in his view the Australian government has "certainly" pressed hard enough for his son's release.

"Very relieved. All I want to say at this stage is that I want to thank all those who have supported us and prayed with us for this eventuality," he said.

The release of Weeks and his American colleague came as part of a prisoner swap deal aimed at restarting peace negotiations between the United States and the Afghan militant organisation.