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British reporter freed in Somalia British reporter freed in Somalia
(about 5 hours later)
Somali kidnappers have released a British journalist and Spanish photographer, according to officials. Somali kidnappers have released a British journalist and Spanish photographer, officials say.
Sunday Telegraph chief foreign correspondent Colin Freeman, 39, and Jose Cendon, 34, were seized on 26 November in the country's north-east.Sunday Telegraph chief foreign correspondent Colin Freeman, 39, and Jose Cendon, 34, were seized on 26 November in the country's north-east.
They had been investigating piracy in the Gulf of Aden but were captured by gunmen after leaving their hotel for Bosasso airport. They had been investigating piracy in Somalia but were captured after leaving a hotel for Bosasso airport.
Mr Freeman said they had been treated well but at one point the kidnappers had held a Kalashnikov at his head.
The UK Foreign Office and Spanish government confirmed their release.The UK Foreign Office and Spanish government confirmed their release.
However, two other foreign journalists, an Australian and a Canadian abducted near the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in August, have still not been freed.However, two other foreign journalists, an Australian and a Canadian abducted near the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in August, have still not been freed.
Caves
After his release, Mr Freeman said: "We’re absolutely fine and delighted to be out. We’ve absolutely no problems at all ether physically or mentally."After his release, Mr Freeman said: "We’re absolutely fine and delighted to be out. We’ve absolutely no problems at all ether physically or mentally."
Mr Cendon, a freelance photographer, said they had helped each other through the ordeal. Writing about his experience on the Telegraph website, he said he was looking forward to seeing his family and girlfriend, and having "a strong pint of lager".
Mr Cendon, a freelance photographer, said the two men had helped each other through the ordeal.
"We tried to cheer each other up all the time," he said."We tried to cheer each other up all the time," he said.
Rothmans The government's policy on ransom is we don't pay Foreign Office spokeswoman
The Telegraph's website reported that the pair had apparently been seized by bodyguards escorting them to the airport, before being held in mountains to the south-west of the city. The government's policy on ransom is we don't pay Foreign Office spokeswoman Mr Freeman said that during his 40 days in captivity he had received 10 phone calls from those in London working for his release.
They lived in caves and were occasionally moved as their kidnappers tried to dodge rival gangs or the authorities but were generally well treated, it said. "Occasionally, there would be news that the talks to free us were progressing well, but more often the word was of endless complications," he wrote.
"Sometimes the kidnappers would threaten to harm us, and on one occasion they cocked a Kalashnikov rifle at my head and made a convincing pantomime of my imminent execution."
The Telegraph said the two reporters lived in caves and were occasionally moved as their kidnappers tried to dodge rival gangs or the authorities but were generally well treated.
"We survived on rice, goat meat and Rothmans," said Mr Freeman."We survived on rice, goat meat and Rothmans," said Mr Freeman.
"I gave up smoking in 1992 and somehow decided now would be a good time to start up again.""I gave up smoking in 1992 and somehow decided now would be a good time to start up again."
The alarm was raised when the journalists failed to get in touch with editors after telling them they were bound for the airport.The alarm was raised when the journalists failed to get in touch with editors after telling them they were bound for the airport.
They were able to make contact five days later and negotiations continued through a family representative. The Telegraph said the pair had apparently been seized by bodyguards escorting them to the airport, before being held in mountains to the south-west of the city.
The men were able to make contact five days later and negotiations continued through a family representative.
Somalia has been torn by civil conflict since 1991 and much of the country is controlled by Islamist insurgents.Somalia has been torn by civil conflict since 1991 and much of the country is controlled by Islamist insurgents.
'No ransom''No ransom'
Piracy off its coast has become an increasing problem for fishing boats, cargo ships and yachts.Piracy off its coast has become an increasing problem for fishing boats, cargo ships and yachts.
Foreigners are frequent targets as insurgents bid to collect large ransom payments.Foreigners are frequent targets as insurgents bid to collect large ransom payments.
However, Abdullahi Said Samatar, security minister in the semi-autonomous Puntland region, told Reuters: "The two European journalists were freed without any payment of a ransom."However, Abdullahi Said Samatar, security minister in the semi-autonomous Puntland region, told Reuters: "The two European journalists were freed without any payment of a ransom."
A Foreign Office spokeswoman confirmed this, saying: "The government's policy on ransom is we don't pay." A Foreign Office spokeswoman added: "The government's policy on ransom is we don't pay."
A Telegraph spokesman said their reporter was "in good health and happy to be free".A Telegraph spokesman said their reporter was "in good health and happy to be free".
"The group is grateful to all those who have helped secure the safe release of Colin Freeman and Jose Cendon," he said."The group is grateful to all those who have helped secure the safe release of Colin Freeman and Jose Cendon," he said.
"This is wonderful news and we are delighted that the two journalists will soon be reunited with their families, friends and colleagues."This is wonderful news and we are delighted that the two journalists will soon be reunited with their families, friends and colleagues.
"On behalf of their families, the Telegraph would like to thank all those involved in assisting in the release, including the authorities in Puntland.""On behalf of their families, the Telegraph would like to thank all those involved in assisting in the release, including the authorities in Puntland."
Mr Freeman flew out of Somalia on Sunday bound for Kenya. He is not expected to return to the UK until Tuesday at the earliest.Mr Freeman flew out of Somalia on Sunday bound for Kenya. He is not expected to return to the UK until Tuesday at the earliest.