Florence Aubenas, who had been kidnapped in Baghdad along with her driver Hussein Hannoun, was released this morning and has just landed back safely in France. Hussein Hannoun is safe with his family in Baghdad.
This is one small piece of news from Iraq that we can celebrate unashamedly, even if most of the other news from the country are that of death, destruction and senseless carnage.
The campaign of solidarity for her in France has been simply unbelievable, with the portraits of both hostages (along with those of hostages from other countries while they were held captive) hung on literally thousands of buildings across the country, like this:
and daily demonstrations of solidarity.
So yes, let’s not forget all the horrows from Iraq, but let’s time to celebrate this one item of good news and the joy of a mother.
That is really terrific news Jerome, glad to hear it. But the rest of diary looks like computer code? or didn’t translate?
ok, I can see it now..
Geez, sorry to admit this, but havent heard about here as of yet…could you fill me in, please. Thanks
I had written about this, but it has somehow been lost in the editing. She was captured early this year in Baghdad with her driver.
A video was made public about 3 months ago, and apparently several other were provided to French authorities, who showed them to her family but never made them public. She was held together with the Romanian hostages that were released a while back (and that release helped the communications with the hostage takers).
LINK
to my BooMan Diary.
This is wonderful news – and I am glad to have something Iraq War -related to celebrate!
Thank you Jerome, for sharing a small bit of sunshine amidst so much gloom from the Middle East. Do you know whether hostages from France have a better chance of survival compared to natives of countries involved in the occupation?
The demonstrations of solidarity are truly inspiring!
2 June – 14:49 : Sheikh Fadlallah calls for Florence’s release
After meeting a Reporters Without Borders delegation led by the organisation’s secretary-general, Robert Ménard, leading Shiite cleric Sheikh Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah issues a statement calling for Florence Aubenas’s release. “As a Muslim, I energetically condemn the kidnapping of the journalist Florence Aubenas, which I consider to be a barbaric crime because it attacks a profession with the duty to inform,” Fadlallah said. The statement added : “These kidnappings also harm the image of Islam and the Iraqis, by presenting them as barbaric people.” Florence and her Iraqi guide, Hussein Hanoun, are today spending their 148th day in captivity.
Such very good, tear-bringing news. Merci.
Glad there’s one less bad statistic in this whole terrible, terrible mess.
I’m sorry to say that I hadn’t heard about this abduction, which apparently occurred 143 days ago. Thank you for passing on the wonderful news?
I don’t know where that final question mark came from.
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Expect #1500 within minutes …
Everyone is taking a look at the pond, who the newcomer will be.
WELCOME: Make Yourself Known @BooTrib aka lost treasure of dKos
Ribbit
What a relief to hear at least one happy ending coming out of that tragic situation.
MAY 10: Members of Baghdad softball team read a book before practice May 10, 2005 in Baghdad, Iraq. The Iraqi national baseball and softball federation was established after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Hussein considered baseball a product of U.S. imperialism. The Baghdad softball team has been invited to travel to the U.S. in July 2005.
