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Italian reporter Domenico Quirico freed in Syria | Italian reporter Domenico Quirico freed in Syria |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Italian newspaper La Stampa says its reporter Domenico Quirico, who was kidnapped in Syria in April, is flying home after being freed. | The Italian newspaper La Stampa says its reporter Domenico Quirico, who was kidnapped in Syria in April, is flying home after being freed. |
The 62-year-old veteran correspondent for the Turin-based daily had entered Syria from Lebanon on 6 April saying he would be out of touch for a week. | The 62-year-old veteran correspondent for the Turin-based daily had entered Syria from Lebanon on 6 April saying he would be out of touch for a week. |
He spoke by phone to his wife in June confirming he had been kidnapped but said he was in good health. | He spoke by phone to his wife in June confirming he had been kidnapped but said he was in good health. |
Mr Quirico was among four journalists held captive briefly in Libya in 2011. | Mr Quirico was among four journalists held captive briefly in Libya in 2011. |
The Italian government said Mr Quirico was on a plane bound for Rome, along with a Belgian man, Pierre Piccinin, who had been abducted with him and released at the same time, the news agency AFP reports. | |
'Filled with joy' | |
Italy's Prime Minister Enrico Letta welcomed the news. "Our hope was never extinguished," he said. | |
Foreign Minister Emma Bonino said she was "filled with joy and satisfaction". | |
"My thoughts are with Mr Quirico's relatives who will be able to greet him again after many months," said Ms Bonino. | |
"My thanks goes to those who played a part in the successful outcome... the Foreign Ministry and other state agencies who together pursued every channel to solve this case. It was particularly difficult in such a complicated environment as Syria. | |
"This is great news for all media workers who risk their lives in war to tell the truth in extreme situations." | |
The conflict in Syria has made it one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work in. | The conflict in Syria has made it one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work in. |
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Syria was the most deadly country for reporters in 2012. | According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, Syria was the most deadly country for reporters in 2012. |