Never posted a news story before but...

[featherB 1]

... just got back from a night out with my husband and saw this. Worked with this guy for years, most lovely person you could wish to meet (ever)... oh my god, I am so happy to see this. I'm all teary (hoped this would happen before I left, it didn't....).... strangely, VJ is the only place right now I can think of to go 'OHMYFUCKINGGODYESSSS!!!'. Husband is looking at me like I'm insane right now, to be so teary/happy...

BBC's Gaza correspondent released

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6267928.stm

BBC correspondent Alan Johnston has been released by kidnappers in Gaza after nearly four months in captivity.

He said it was "fantastic" to be free after an "appalling experience". TV footage showed Mr Johnston, 45, leaving a building accompanied by armed men.

During his time as a hostage, three videos were released featuring images of Mr Johnston or of his belongings.

Calls were made for his release in rallies worldwide and in an online petition signed by some 200,000 people.

The journalist was handed over to officials of the Hamas administration in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Gunmen from the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement overran Gaza last month, expelling their rivals from the Fatah faction.

I literally dreamt many times of being free and always woke up back in that room

Alan Johnston

Hamas' military wing had said it would spare no effort to secure the BBC reporter's release.

A previously little-known militant group, the Army of Islam, claimed it was holding Mr Johnston and had released videos demanding the release of Muslim prisoners in British custody.

The group had said it would kill its captive if its demands were not met.

'Dreamt of freedom'

Speaking over the telephone from the house of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya, Mr Johnston thanked everyone who had worked towards his release.

"It is the most fantastic thing to be free," he said.

He described his experience of captivity as "appalling" and "occasionally quite terrifying".

"It became quite hard to imagine normal life again," he said.

"I literally dreamt many times of being free and always woke up back in that room."

He said he was looking forward to being re-united with his family in Scotland.

Mr Johnston said he stayed aware of efforts to free him by listening to the BBC World Service on the radio.

[Mags 112]

Wonderful news, Feather!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I saw that. Good it turned out well - things were looking pretty bleak a few weeks ago.

[featherB 1]

I saw that. Good it turned out well - things were looking pretty bleak a few weeks ago.

I know... didn't even dare hope things would turn out ok for a while there. Sorry for non-VJ-relevant posting, everyone, but... damn, just saw that and had to freak out with relief somewhere, this probably wasn't the most appropriate place, it's hardly a discussion topic.... so relieved & glad, though. Thank f**k.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

We were just saying in another post that we need more good news stories - thank you for posting this. Good news is always appropriate:-). I am glad he has been released.

[dalegg 143]

Wait a minute, is this saying that Hamas actually rescued a western hostage?