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British hostage David Bolam freed in Libya | |
(35 minutes later) | |
British teacher David Bolam has been released after being held hostage by militants in Libya since May. | British teacher David Bolam has been released after being held hostage by militants in Libya since May. |
The Foreign Office said Mr Bolam, who teaches at the International School Benghazi, was "safe and well" and had been reunited with his family. | |
His kidnapping had not been reported at the request of the Foreign Office and his family. | His kidnapping had not been reported at the request of the Foreign Office and his family. |
It is thought his release was secured by local political factions, but it is not clear if a deal was made. | It is thought his release was secured by local political factions, but it is not clear if a deal was made. |
Mr Bolam appeared in a video posted online on 28 August. | |
Wearing a white T-shirt and sitting in a concrete room, he appealed to UK Prime Minister David Cameron to secure his release. | |
Speaking in English, he said he was in good health and had been held "a very long time." | Speaking in English, he said he was in good health and had been held "a very long time." |
There had been fears Mr Bolam faced the same fate as British hostages held by Islamic State (IS) militants operating in Syria and Iraq, BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said. | |
In recent weeks, IS has released videos showing the apparent beheading of two US journalists, James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning. | |
However, little is known about the group which held Mr Bolam and what their demands might have been, our correspondent added. | |
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are glad that David Bolam is safe and well after his ordeal, and that he has been reunited with his family. | |
"We have been supporting his family since he was taken." | |
Mr Bolam's family have asked for privacy. |