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British journalist freed in Iraq British journalist freed in Iraq
(about 1 hour later)
A British journalist has been rescued by Iraqi forces after being held hostage for more than two months.A British journalist has been rescued by Iraqi forces after being held hostage for more than two months.
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.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.
Mr Butler described how the Iraqi Army stormed the house he was at, overcoming his guards and rushing him away. Mr Butler described how the Iraqi army stormed the house he was in, overcoming his guards and rushing him away.
He and his Iraqi interpreter were seized in Basra in February. The interpreter was freed three days later.He and his Iraqi interpreter were seized in Basra in February. The interpreter was freed three days later.
Mr Butler appeared on Iraqi television looking tired but relieved after his release from a house in the Jibiliya neighbourhood of Basra.Mr Butler appeared on Iraqi television looking tired but relieved after his release from a house in the Jibiliya neighbourhood of Basra.
They shouted something at me and I pulled my hood off...and they ran me down the road Richard ButlerThey shouted something at me and I pulled my hood off...and they ran me down the road Richard Butler
He said: "Thank you and I'm looking forward to seeing my family and my friends at CBS - and thank you again.He 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."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.""They shouted something at me and I pulled my hood off...and they ran me down the road."
The troops were fired on by four men, three of whom escaped, the other was captured, the BBC's Crispin Thorold said. The troops were fired on by four men - three escaped but the other was captured, the BBC's Crispin Thorold said.
'Unrelated tip-off'
According to a spokesman for the Iraqi ministry of defence, Mr Butler was found with his hands tied behind his back and a hood over his head.According to a spokesman for the Iraqi ministry of defence, Mr Butler was found with his hands tied behind his back and a hood over his head.
But his rescue was apparently down to a lucky coincidence.
The Iraqi forces launched the raid following an intelligence tip-off that was not about Mr Butler, but about a weapons cache in Basra, our correspondent said.
Mr Butler is now undergoing medical tests and is in the care of British officials who have paid tribute to the "alertness and professionalism" of the Iraq forces.
A CBS News spokeswoman said: "We are incredibly grateful that our colleague, Richard Butler, has been released and is safe."A CBS News spokeswoman said: "We are incredibly grateful that our colleague, Richard Butler, has been released and is safe."
Witnesses said Mr Butler and his interpreter were taken from the Sultan Palace Hotel in Basra by at least eight gunmen on 10 February. On 9 February Iraqi police demanded a list of the people staying at the Sultan Palace Hotel in Basra.
Then on 10 February, witnesses said they saw Mr Butler and his interpreter being taken from the hotel by at least eight gunmen.
That month local news reports said Mr Butler's release had been delayed because his kidnappers feared future arrest.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.