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Two journalists freed in Somalia Two journalists freed in Somalia
(20 minutes later)
Two foreign journalists kidnapped in Somalia by militants in August 2008 have been freed by their captors.Two foreign journalists kidnapped in Somalia by militants in August 2008 have been freed by their captors.
Canadian Amanda Lindhout and Australian Nigel Brennan are reported to be in a hotel in the capital Mogadishu. Canadian Amanda Lindhout and Australian Nigel Brennan are reported to be in a hotel in the capital, Mogadishu.
Ms Lindhout told the Associated Press the pair were in good health and could not believe they were free. Ms Lindhout told Canadian media that the kidnappers had tortured her and that a ransom had been paid for the pair's release.
Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, and journalists and humanitarian workers are frequently kidnapped. Somalia has been without an effective government since 1991, and journalists and aid workers are frequently seized.
During the phone call to the news agency, Ms Lindhout said: "We sent our family and friends a message that we are free and will be with them soon after a long time in captivity." Ms Lindhout told Canada's CTV that the pair had been taken by gunmen and held in a variety of houses during their 15-month captivity.
Lawmaker Botan Isse Alin, who, along with police, is in the hotel with the pair, said he was happy they had been released. She was forced to make calls to media outlets throughout her ordeal, as her captives wanted a ransom to be paid quickly.
Officials spent eight days seeking their release, the Reuters news agency reported. "There were times that I was beaten, that I was tortured," she said.
Giving very few details about how their release was secured, Somali MP Ahmed Diiriye said they were handed over by militia. 'Rough time'
A man purporting to be one of the kidnappers told AFP news agency that the ransom of $1m (£600,000) had been paid.
Somali MP Ahmed Diiriye gave very few details about how the release was secured but said the hostages had been handed over by militiamen.
The freelance journalists had been working for Western media organisations when they were captured.The freelance journalists had been working for Western media organisations when they were captured.
Alarm raised Photojournalist Mr Brennan had only been in the country for a week when the kidnapping happened. He told Reuters that he had also been "through a pretty rough time".
Somali journalist and interpreter Abdifatah Mohammed Elmi, and their two Somali drivers were also kidnapped at the same time, but they were released in January. Somali journalist and interpreter Abdifatah Mohammed Elmi, and their two Somali drivers were also seized at the same time, but they were released in January.
They were taken following a trip to visit displaced people outside the city. They were taken following a trip to visit displaced people outside Mogadishu.
The alarm was raised when they failed to return to their hotel after a few hours.
Photojournalist Mr Brennan had only been in the country for a week when the kidnapping happened.
It is not known if a ransom was paid for their release.
Earlier this year British journalist Colin Freeman and Spanish photographer Jose Cendon were released after being held by Somali kidnappers for 40 days.Earlier this year British journalist Colin Freeman and Spanish photographer Jose Cendon were released after being held by Somali kidnappers for 40 days.