SHAHEEN EXPRESSES RELIEF AND JOY THAT NEW HAMPSHIRE JOURNALIST HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM LIBYA

(Washington, DC) –U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) announced today that New Hampshire native James Foley, a journalist who had been imprisoned in Libya since April, has been freed. Shaheen spoke to James’ mother, Diane Foley, who had received a call from her son after he was released.

“I am tremendously relieved and overjoyed to hear that James Foley has been released from his imprisonment in Libya and can return home to reunite with his family and friends,” Shaheen said.  “Since James went missing in April, there has been an outpouring of support for him throughout the world. As a mother of three myself, I can only imagine the anxiety and pain his loved ones have endured. I am glad that James’ family, friends, colleagues, and classmates, all have something to celebrate today and we eagerly await word that he is on his way home.”

According to reports, in addition to Foley, Libya freed U.S. reporters Clare Gillis, Spanish photographer Manu Brabo, and British journalist Nigel Chandler.

Shaheen also recognizes that there are still several U.S. citizens being held prisoner by the government in Libya. She urges the Qaddafi regime to release them as well.

Shaheen met with the parents of Foley last week in Washington and has worked with the U.S. State Department as well as a number of foreign governments to seek their help in securing Foley’s release.