KANDAHAR, March 19 (Reuters) - An Italian journalist kidnapped in Afghanistan has been handed over to embassy officials after two weeks in captivity and days after his driver was executed, an Afghan news agency said on Monday.

Taliban military commander Mullah Dadullah told Reuters Daniele Mastrogiacomo had been released, but gave no details. The Italian embassy said it had no information.

The Pajhwok news agency, a privately owned network, said Dadullah had told it Mastrogiacomo was freed just before dusk after five Taliban officials were freed by the government.

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