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23/03/2006
Norman Kember freed in Iraq
British hostage Norman Kember has been freed in Iraq following an operation by multi-national forces.
Mr Kember, 74, a retired professor from northwest London, was kidnapped along with two Canadian citizens and an American in Baghdad last November. All four men were working for the Christian Peacemaker Teams.
The two Canadian citizens - James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32 - have also been released.
It is understood that the three men were rescued from a house in west Baghdad by troops led by British forces. The men are now believed to be in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.
Mr Kember is said to be in a "reasonable condition" and the Foreign Office confirmed that he had already spoken to his wife on the phone.
The two Canadian hostages are understood to have received treatment in hospital.
The body of the American hostage, 54-year-old Tom Fox, was found in Baghdad two weeks ago.
A previously unknown group calling themselves the Sword of Righteousness Brigade abducted the four men. They had threatened to kill all the men unless all Iraqi prisoners were released.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw confirmed that British forces had been involved in the operation to free the hostages and said that the rescue had followed "weeks and weeks of very careful work by our military personnel in Iraq and many civilians as well."
Mr Kember's family released a statement which said: "We are very pleased that Norman and his friends are safe. We are grateful for all the support we have had from so many people since Norman was taken hostage. We also thank everyone who has worked so hard for him to be set free."
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Tony Blair said that he was "delighted" by the news. He said: "He is particularly pleased for those released and their families. He congratulates everyone involved in the operation to rescue the hostages."
(KMcA/GB)
Mr Kember, 74, a retired professor from northwest London, was kidnapped along with two Canadian citizens and an American in Baghdad last November. All four men were working for the Christian Peacemaker Teams.
The two Canadian citizens - James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32 - have also been released.
It is understood that the three men were rescued from a house in west Baghdad by troops led by British forces. The men are now believed to be in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.
Mr Kember is said to be in a "reasonable condition" and the Foreign Office confirmed that he had already spoken to his wife on the phone.
The two Canadian hostages are understood to have received treatment in hospital.
The body of the American hostage, 54-year-old Tom Fox, was found in Baghdad two weeks ago.
A previously unknown group calling themselves the Sword of Righteousness Brigade abducted the four men. They had threatened to kill all the men unless all Iraqi prisoners were released.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw confirmed that British forces had been involved in the operation to free the hostages and said that the rescue had followed "weeks and weeks of very careful work by our military personnel in Iraq and many civilians as well."
Mr Kember's family released a statement which said: "We are very pleased that Norman and his friends are safe. We are grateful for all the support we have had from so many people since Norman was taken hostage. We also thank everyone who has worked so hard for him to be set free."
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Tony Blair said that he was "delighted" by the news. He said: "He is particularly pleased for those released and their families. He congratulates everyone involved in the operation to rescue the hostages."
(KMcA/GB)
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24 March 2006
Norman Kember to return to UK
The wife of British hostage Norman Kember, who is reported to be on his way back to the UK, has spoken of her joy at the release of her husband after four months of being held captive in Iraq. Pat Kember told a radio station in New Zealand that she was "thrilled" that her peace activist husband had been freed, along with two Canadian colleagues.
Norman Kember to return to UK
The wife of British hostage Norman Kember, who is reported to be on his way back to the UK, has spoken of her joy at the release of her husband after four months of being held captive in Iraq. Pat Kember told a radio station in New Zealand that she was "thrilled" that her peace activist husband had been freed, along with two Canadian colleagues.
29 March 2006
Kember speaks of time in captivity
Freed British hostage Norman Kember has given an interview talking about his time held captive in Iraq. Mr Kember, 74, a retired professor from Pinner, north-west London, told the 'Baptist Times' of his "desperate" experience on being confined. He said: "Not going outside for four months - it's having that time stolen.
Kember speaks of time in captivity
Freed British hostage Norman Kember has given an interview talking about his time held captive in Iraq. Mr Kember, 74, a retired professor from Pinner, north-west London, told the 'Baptist Times' of his "desperate" experience on being confined. He said: "Not going outside for four months - it's having that time stolen.
09 December 2005
Fears grow as hostage deadline looms
There have been fresh calls for the release of four peace activists, including Briton Norman Kember, being held hostage in Iraq. Moazzam Begg, a former detainee at the Guantanamo Bay centre, has urged the kidnappers to release the hostages.
Fears grow as hostage deadline looms
There have been fresh calls for the release of four peace activists, including Briton Norman Kember, being held hostage in Iraq. Moazzam Begg, a former detainee at the Guantanamo Bay centre, has urged the kidnappers to release the hostages.
08 December 2005
Foreign Secretary calls for Iraq hostage release
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has repeated calls for the release of four peace activists in Iraq, as their kidnappers announced that the deadline for their execution had been extended.
Foreign Secretary calls for Iraq hostage release
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has repeated calls for the release of four peace activists in Iraq, as their kidnappers announced that the deadline for their execution had been extended.
07 December 2005
Hostage pleads for troop withdrawal in Iraq
British hostage Norman Kember has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw British troops from Iraq in a new video. The video, which was shown on the Internet, showed Mr Kember, 74, in handcuffs and shackles, along with the three other hostages, seized along with him in Baghdad nearly two weeks ago.
Hostage pleads for troop withdrawal in Iraq
British hostage Norman Kember has called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to withdraw British troops from Iraq in a new video. The video, which was shown on the Internet, showed Mr Kember, 74, in handcuffs and shackles, along with the three other hostages, seized along with him in Baghdad nearly two weeks ago.
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