This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7346487.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UK journalist 'released in Iraq' British journalist freed in Iraq
(40 minutes later)
A British journalist has been freed by forces in Iraq, local media quoted the Iraqi defence ministry saying. A British journalist has been rescued by Iraqi forces after being held hostage for more than two months.
Richard Butler and his Iraqi interpreter were seized in Basra in February. The interpreter was freed three days later. Richard Butler, who works for the US television network CBS, was found in a house in Basra with a sack over his head, said the Iraqi defence ministry.
Both were working for the American network CBS News. Mr Butler described how the Iraqi Army stormed the house he was at, overcoming his guards and rushing him away.
Witnesses said the two men were taken from the Sultan Palace Hotel in Basra, southern Iraq, by at least eight gunmen on 10 February. He and his Iraqi interpreter were seized in Basra in February. The interpreter was freed three days later.
Local news reports in February said Mr Butler's release had been delayed because his kidnappers feared future arrest. 'Hooded'
Mr Butler said: "Thank you and I'm looking forward to seeing my family and my friends at CBS - and thank you again.
"The Iraqi army stormed the house and overcame my guards and they burst through the door - and I had my hood on, which I had to have on all the time.
"They shouted something at me and I pulled my hood off...and they ran me down the road."
A CBS News spokeswoman said: "We are incredibly grateful that our colleague, Richard Butler, has been released and is safe."
Journalists killed
Witnesses said Mr Butler and his interpreter were taken from the Sultan Palace Hotel in Basra, southern Iraq, by at least eight gunmen on 10 February.
That month local news reports said Mr Butler's release had been delayed because his kidnappers feared future arrest.
Mr Butler is a married photojournalist with experience of covering conflicts around the world.Mr Butler is a married photojournalist with experience of covering conflicts around the world.
International media watchdogs have reported dozens of journalists killed each year since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.International media watchdogs have reported dozens of journalists killed each year since the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.