Five Czech men who were kidnapped in Lebanon in July were freed late Monday and are in the care of Lebanese security forces.

Five Czech men who were kidnapped in Lebanon in July were freed late Monday and are in the care of Lebanese security forces, Prague said.

The Czech foreign ministry said in a statement that the five "are alive and, according to our information, in satisfactory health", adding that a special plane would be sent to repatriate them shortly.

The ministry declined to give further details due to "the investigation underway managed by the anti-organized crime department (UOOZ) of the Czech police".

Their release appeared to be tied to the detention of a Lebanese man in Prague, with a Lebanese security official telling AFP: "The release of the five Czechs... is the final part of an exchange deal, (that) includes the release of the Lebanese detainee in Prague, Ali Taan Fayyad."

Another Lebanese security source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the deal.