Kember released
Updated on 23 March 2006
British Embassy in Baghdad confirms the release of three western hostages including Briton Norman Kember.
The news broke just before 9.00GMT this morning bringing to close a four month ordeal for the British activist and two of his fellow hostages - Canadians Harmeet Sooden and Jim Loney.
Another hostage, American Tom Fox, was killed earlier this month.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw confirmed the news of Mr Kember's release at 9.26GMT. He said British forces were involved in this operation and follows weeks and weeks of activity behind the scenes.
"I'm delighted we have a happy ending to this terrible ordeal," said Straw who also confirmed that he spoke to Mrs Kember earlier this morning.
Norman Kember, 74, was in Iraq as a "gesture of solidarity" with the Canada-based group Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). He and his fellow hostages were captured in November.
His hostage takers set a deadline for their terms to be met which passed in mid-December with no loss of life. However, the murder of Tom Fox on 11 March, intensified fears that the other hostages were in grave danger.
See also:
>29 Nov: Held hostage
>3 Dec: Hostage envoy in Iraq
>8 Dec: Exclusive - Qatada's letter
>5 Mar: Vigil held for Kember
>11 Mar: Fears for Kember after hostage murder
