[JURIST] Sunni Iraqi legislator Tayseer al-Mashhadani, kidnapped on July 1 by as-yet-identified captors, has been released on the eve of the launch of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's national reconciliation project [JURIST report] announced earlier this summer. Al-Maliki described Saturday's release as a "gift". Al-Mashhadani's captors had previously demanded the release of all Shiite prisoners [JURIST report], an end to airstrikes against Iraqi mosques, and a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign troops.

Another lawmaker said al-Mashhadani's release may have been timed to coincide with the General Conference of Iraqi Clans, which on Sunday released 21 recommendations for reinforcing national unity [VOI report]. AP has more. VOI has local coverage.