US journalist released in Iraq

[DaSangarTalib]

A US reporter held hostage in Iraq for more than two months has been freed.

Jill Carroll, who works for the Boston-based Christian Science Monitor, was abducted by unknown gunmen in west Baghdad on 7 January.

Iraqi police say she was released at the offices of the Iraqi Islamic Party in western Baghdad and was said to be in good health.

Ms Carroll's release comes a week after the freeing of three other Western hostages, a Briton and two Canadians.

An Iraqi government source quoted by Reuters news agency said that Ms Carroll was being cared for in Baghdad's heavily guarded government compound, the Green Zone.

Her captors, who called themselves the Revenge Brigades, had demanded the release of all women detainees in Iraq.

They had threatened to execute her if their demands were not met by a 26 February deadline.

She appeared in three video-taped statements during her period in captivity, pleading for the US and Iraqi authorities to meet the kidnappers' demands.

'Living a nightmare'

Ms Carroll, 28, is the fourth Western hostage being held in Iraq to be freed in eight days.

Last week Briton Norman Kember and Canadians James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden, were freed from a house west of Baghdad.

Ms Carroll's twin sister pleaded for her release on the Saudi-owned TV network al-Arabiya on Wednesday.

"I've been living a nightmare, worrying if she is hurt or ill," Katie Carroll said.

She said her sister "has many Iraqi friends, and respects their culture. My sister has always had special praise for the strength and resilience of Iraqi women and mothers".

At least 230 foreigners, and thousands of Iraqis, have been taken hostage in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003.

About 50 of the foreigners have been killed by their captors and the whereabouts of another 90, including six Americans, remain unknown.

Ms Carroll was kidnapped in Baghdad's western Adil district while going to interview the senior Sunni Arab politician Adnan al-Dulaimi.

Her driver escaped the kidnappers, but her interpreter was killed.

[north_malaysian]

Why Jill Caroll wears hijab, is she a Muslim?:rollseyes

[Malsidabym]

Why Jill Caroll wears hijab, is she a Muslim?:rollseyes

It is safe to assume out of respect and good sense. When in Rome....

[north_malaysian]

But the way she wears the hijab, is so religious.. Muslims know what do I mean. She dont have to wear it fully and neatly as if she is an ustazah (religious teacher):rollseyes