UK journalist freed by Iraqi security forces
Monday, 14 Apr 2008 20:01
Iraqi security forces free British journalist
Iraqi security forces have freed a British journalist kidnapped two months ago.
Richard Butler appeared on Iraqiya television looking fit and well after a 30-minute gun battle with militants in Iraq's second city.
He told the news channel he was wearing a hood and had his hands tied behind his back when Iraqi forces seized the house in Basra's Jubaiyia neighbourhood earlier today.
"The Iraqi army stormed the house and overcame my guards and then burst through the door," he said.
"I had my hood on which I had to have on all the time, and they shouted something at me and I pulled my hood off."
Mr Butler's disappearance on February 10th, when he was kidnapped along with an Iraqi interpreter, had not been publicised by his employer CBS.
The US broadcaster's president Sean McManus said many people both inside and outside his organisation had been "working tirelessly on Richard's behalf", however.
"We are deeply grateful to all who have worked so hard to make this day a reality," he added.
Iraqi security forces have been struggling to maintain order in the city since British forces withdrew to 'overwatch' status last year.
Prime minister Nouri al-Maliki was forced to abandon a deadline on militias to cease resistance, ending a concerted push to establish the Baghdad government's authority in the region.