TEMPO.CO, Damascus - Peter Theo Curtis, a 45 year old American journalist kidnapped nearly two years ago by the Jabhat Al-Nusra rebels, has been freed in Syria following a mediation and was handed over to United Nations peacekeepers stationed at the Golan Heights.
"After receiving a thorough medical checkup, Curtis was turned over to representatives from the United States government," the UN said.
Al Jazeera news agency received a footage showing a disheveled Curtis with a long hair and beard, but appearing to be in good health. Commenting on his treatment, Curtis said he had everything he needed and everything has been perfect: food, clothing, even friends now.
Curtis said he was kidnapped in Antakya, Turkey when attempting to enter Syria on October 2012.
The government did not disclose the process of Curtis' release, but his family admitted that his freedom was thanks to the effort of the US government and Qatar. US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power introduced Curtis' family with the government of Qatar who managed to free a number of European hostages as well.
Curtis' family thanked both the governments of the US and Qatar, as well as others who helped negotiate his release. They managed to free Curtis without paying any ransom money.
The work of the US government did not end with Curtis' freedom. The Islamic State (IS) rebels, who beheaded James Foley last week, still has journalist Steven Sotloff has hostage. He was captured in 2013 and was threatened to be executed if the US continues its attack on IS bases in Iraq.
US National Security Advisor Susan Rice, said that the government will continue to carry out attempts to free other hostages. "We will do everything we can to ensure that they can be reunited with their families," she said.
AL-JAZEERA | THE NEW YORK TIMES | FT | SITA PLANASARI AQUADINI
