Noel Sciberras has been freed from his Libyan captors after being held for 47 days, the government said in a statement.

Mr Sciberras, the General Manager of CT Park Libya, was freed by the so-called 'Special Deterrent Force,' which is described as being one of the forces falling under the Libyan Interior Ministry. 

The paramilitary group posted a video of Mr Sciberras soon after his release. He is seen in the back of an armoured vehicle, holding a bottle of water, and thanking the people who freed him. Although looking tired, the man looks to be in a good health.

It said Mr Sciberras was among a number of hostages it saved. All 'gangsters' were arrested and all hostages were safe, it said.

Mr Sciberras was kidnapped by a gang in Tajoura nearly two months ago. The captors had originally demanded a $5 million ransom. It is not known if any payment was made.

The Special Deterrent Force's Facebook page also features a number of other videos of other prisoners being freed. One of the videos seems to show members of the team storming an ISIS building. 

In a statement the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed the news of his release. It said Mr Sciberras was released on Wednesday morning. The Ministry said it had hoped that the news of his release would come out after Mr Sciberras was safely back in Malta but now that the news has broken it could not refrain from confirming his release.

The Ministry congratulated Mr Sciberras and his family and hoped that he would have some time to rest and recover from the trauma he had gone through.

It also thanked all who were involved in the rescue operation, particularly Marisa Farrugia, whose wisdom and diplomacy led to Mr Sciberras's release. The government also thanked the members of the Maltese Secret Service for their assistance.

Mr Sciberras is expected to return to Malta in the coming days.