French hostage released in Iraq

[cestpaspossible]

A French journalist and her Iraqi driver were released after being held hostage for five months in Iraq, France's foreign ministry said on Sunday.

"Florence Aubenas is on her way to France," a spokeswoman for the foreign ministry told Reuters, adding the reporter would arrive at Villacoublay airport outside Paris later in the day.

Her Iraqi driver Hussein Hanun al-Saadi was also released, she said. He would stay in Iraq with his family.

Aubenas, who works for French newspaper Liberation, and her driver were taken hostage after leaving their Baghdad hotel on Jan. 5.

Little had been known about their fate since then. Insurgents in Iraq released video footage of Aubenas on March 1. Looking distraught and fragile, she made an appeal for help.

Aubenas' colleagues in Paris said the reporter seemed to be in good health.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8764247

[Flagg]

1. That's great news.

Needless to say, the nazi scums at freerepublic aren't too happy.

[cestpaspossible]

2. I was starting to lose hope...

[Up2Late]

3. Here an Update from Reuters

(Glad to see another made it out, looks like they are losing faith in Hostage taking)

French hostage released in Iraq flies home

Sun Jun 12, 2005 12:37 PM ET

By Kerstin Gehmlich

PARIS (Reuters) - A French journalist held hostage in Iraq for five months flew to Paris on Sunday after what the French ambassador said had been a dangerous operation to bring her home. Florence Aubenas, 44, was released with her driver, Hussein Hanun al-Saadi, on Saturday. The reporter flew to Cyprus on Sunday where she was met by French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy before boarding a plane to take her to France.

"She looked fine. Very happy to be free and was a bit emotional," said Christodoulos Pashiardis, Under-Secretary to Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos. She left Cyprus at 1255 GMT for Villacoublay airport outside Paris where she was to be welcomed home by President Jacques Chirac. Chirac earlier announced the release of Aubenas and her driver in a televised address.

The reporter of French daily Liberation was snatched with her driver after leaving their Baghdad hotel on Jan. 5. Little had been known about their fate since then, or the circumstances surrounding their release. "It wasn't easy at all. It was a dangerous operation for our people, extremely dangerous," Bernard Bajolet, France's ambassador in Iraq, told France Info radio.

Bajolet told Reuters both hostages appeared very well, though both had clearly lost weight. "I found them, in spite of their ordeal, ... to be in an extremely lively state of mind." Insurgents in Iraq released video footage of Aubenas on March 1. Looking distraught and fragile, she appealed for help.

(more at the link above)

[Up2Late]

4. French hostage released in Iraq arrives home (Reuters)

French hostage released in Iraq arrives home

Sun Jun 12, 2005 02:21 PM ET

By Kerstin Gehmlich

PARIS (Reuters) - A French journalist held hostage in Iraq for five months arrived back in Paris on Sunday looking drawn but happy, after what the French ambassador said had been a dangerous operation to bring her home. Florence Aubenas, 44, was freed with her driver, Hussein Hanun al-Saadi, on Saturday.

"I feel good," a smiling Aubenas told reporters at the Villacoublay airport outside Paris, where she was greeted by President Jacques Chirac, her friends and family. "These were harsh conditions," she said of her captivity, adding that her kidnappers had allowed her to lift her blindfold at one point to watch a French television program which broadcast a message of support for her.

"You're so happy when you see that," she said, visibly moved, referring to rallies and concerts held in her support.

Chirac announced the release of Aubenas, a reporter for the French daily Liberation, and her driver in a televised address. They were snatched after leaving their Baghdad hotel on Jan. 5. Little had been known about their fate since then, or the circumstances surrounding their release.

(more at link above)

[cestpaspossible]

5. Le retour d'un sourire (pic)

[LoneDriver]

6. Great, very good news

And it's a good thing she managed to avoid U.S. Army checkpoints on the way to the airport.