Anderson, Last Hostage, Reported Free : Mideast: Longest held of U.S. captives, his release closely follows that of another American, Alann Steen.

Terry A. Anderson was released Wednesday after more than six years and nine months in captivity, Iran’s official news agency said, ending an agonizing and frustrating seven-year hostage ordeal for the United States. Earlier, Alann Steen, 52, who had been kidnaped in January, 1987, was freed.

Anderson, chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press, was held in Lebanon by Shiite Muslim extremists longer than any other Westerner.

His reported freedom followed the release of eight other Westerners since August, when the United Nations launched negotiations involving a complex swap of hostages and Arabs held by Israel and its proxy militia in southern Lebanon.

The Islamic Republic News Agency’s Beirut office, which has usually proved reliable on hostage releases, said Anderson, 44, was freed at 10 a.m. (midnight PST) and was on his way to the Syrian capital, Damascus.

The agency, which also was the first to report the release of Americans Joseph J. Cicippio and Alann Steen on Monday and Tuesday, attributed its information to an informed security source.

There was no immediate confirmation of Anderson’s release either from Lebanon or Syria, whose forces normally escort freed captives to Damascus, where they are handed over to American diplomats.

In a departure from the pattern of previous releases, no statement was issued by Anderson’s captors, Islamic Jihad, or Islamic holy war, announcing its intention to let him go.

Anderson’s release would leave at least two other Westerners missing and believed held in Lebanon -- two German relief workers.

U.N. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar had said Tuesday in New York after meeting with Iranian Ambassador Kamal Kharrazi that he expected another release within two days.