Hostages held by Taleban are set free

Two French journalists held hostage in Afghanistan since December 2009 were freed yesterday in good health, cheering all France, which has been united in its campaign to bring the two men home.

France-3 television said in a flash across its screen that the network's reporters Stephane Taponier and Herve Ghesquiere have been released.

President Nicolas Sarkozy thanked "everyone who participated in freeing the hostages" and praised Afghan president Hamid Karzai for his management of the hostage situation. The journalists' translator, Reza Din, was also released.

The journalists were kidnapped together with three Afghan associates while working on a story about reconstruction on a road east of Kabul. The Taleban said the insurgency movement was holding them and made a set of demands in exchange for the men's freedom.

Mr Ghesquiere, 47, and cameraman Mr Taponier, 46, are seasoned journalists.

The former specialised in war reporting, covering many areas of the world, including the Balkans and Cambodia. Mr Taponier had filmed in the past in Afghanistan.

Prime minister Francois Fillon said: "Our two hostages are in good health and will be on French soil in several hours."