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Yemen hostage Bob Semple 'incredibly grateful' for rescue | Yemen hostage Bob Semple 'incredibly grateful' for rescue |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A British hostage says he is "delighted and relieved" to be home after being held in Yemen for 18 months. | A British hostage says he is "delighted and relieved" to be home after being held in Yemen for 18 months. |
Bob Semple, 64, said he was "incredibly grateful" to all those who had supported his family - and to United Arab Emirates forces who freed him. | Bob Semple, 64, said he was "incredibly grateful" to all those who had supported his family - and to United Arab Emirates forces who freed him. |
He was kidnapped in February last year, with the UAE state news agency saying he was held by al-Qaeda. | He was kidnapped in February last year, with the UAE state news agency saying he was held by al-Qaeda. |
The oil industry worker from Southampton said he planned to enjoy some "much-missed time with my family". | |
On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said a British national, now known to be Mr Semple, had been "extracted by UAE forces in a military intelligence operation". | On Sunday, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said a British national, now known to be Mr Semple, had been "extracted by UAE forces in a military intelligence operation". |
Media 'restraint' | Media 'restraint' |
In a statement issued through the Foreign Office, Mr Semple said: "My wife Sallie and I want to thank all the people who supported us through this ordeal: especially the Foreign Office, Hostage UK, the police, our family, friends and well wishers, and the UAE forces who secured my release. | In a statement issued through the Foreign Office, Mr Semple said: "My wife Sallie and I want to thank all the people who supported us through this ordeal: especially the Foreign Office, Hostage UK, the police, our family, friends and well wishers, and the UAE forces who secured my release. |
"We are incredibly grateful to you all. | "We are incredibly grateful to you all. |
"We would also like to thank the media for showing restraint during my 18 months in captivity, and I ask that this continues, allowing me to enjoy some valuable and much-missed time with my family. | "We would also like to thank the media for showing restraint during my 18 months in captivity, and I ask that this continues, allowing me to enjoy some valuable and much-missed time with my family. |
"It is great to be home." | "It is great to be home." |
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said Mr Semple had been working in Hadramawt, a remote province in eastern Yemen, when he was bundled into a car at gun point. | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said Mr Semple had been working in Hadramawt, a remote province in eastern Yemen, when he was bundled into a car at gun point. |
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