Two American journalists, Clare Morgana Gillis and James Foley, along with a Spanish and a British journalist, are now on their way home from Libya where they were held captive for weeks. The journalists spent the night at the Hungarian embassy under the stewardship of Ambassador Béla Marton after being released from captivity. They were escorted to the border of Tunisia this morning by the Hungarian consul.

Hungary, who currently holds the EU Presidency, is the only EU member state with an Ambassador-level representation in Libya. Hungarian diplomats, who have been in touch with Libyan authorities, helped the family of the journalists and the US government on a humanitarian basis. Several US Members of Congress, including Senators John Kerry, Jeanne Shaheen and Congressman Elton Gallegly, have contacted Hungarian Ambassador to the US György Szapáry to get regular updates about the journalists and expressed their heartfelt thanks for the Hungarian Government’s efforts. The US government has also thanked the Foreign Ministry for facilitating the release of the captive journalists.

 

Senator John Kerry released the following statement:

BOSTON – Senator John Kerry, today released a statement in response to the release of James Foley, a reporter for the Boston-based GlobalPost, who was captured by Libyan government forces on April 5 while reporting on the Libyan conflict.

"This afternoon as I was heading home to Massachusetts, I was incredibly pleased and relieved to hear from his brother Michael that James Foley has now been safely reunited with his family. James, Clare Gillis and the other journalists went through an extraordinary ordeal in Libya, and their courage and perseverance is a reminder of what real character is all about. The entire Foley family in particular demonstrated extraordinary grace throughout this very difficult time.

I appreciate the strong support we received working with the State Department, which deserves great credit for making this possible. I’d also like to express sincere gratitude for the tremendous assistance provided by Hungary and Turkey on the ground in Libya throughout this process. Their Ambassadors and embassies in Washington responded immediately when we reached out for their assistance in securing James’s release, and worked very hard with their Libyan embassies to ensure James’s safety and work for his release."

Rep. Elton Gallegly released the following statement

CAMARILLO, CA—U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, today thanked the Hungarian government for its role in obtaining the release of American journalists James Foley of GlobalPost and freelance writer Clare Morgana Gillis, as well as Spanish photojournalist Manu Brabo and British journalist Nigel Chandler.

"The government of Hungary and its representatives in Tripoli worked hard and skillfully to obtain the release of Foley, Gillis, Brabo and Chandler," Gallegly said. "The free world appreciates their efforts and success. Col. Gadaffi must now release all journalists detained in Libya."

In personal phone conversations in recent weeks with Col. Gadaffi’s third son, Al-Saadi, Gallegly had repeatedly urged the release of the journalists. Gallegly also held several phone conversations with executives and other officials at The Atlantic and Gannett, two organizations Gillis freelanced for, and the GlobalPost. Last week, Gallegly met with Foley’s parents, Dr. John and Mrs. Diane Foley, in his Washington, DC, office.

Gallegly and his office also held discussions with the Hungarian ambassador as his government worked to obtain the journalists’ release.

"I know how relieved the journalism community and the journalists’ families are now that they have been released. I wish them a joyful reunion," Gallegly said.