Iraqi army says kidnapped British reporter rescued in Basra

[TheLion03]

Iraqi army says kidnapped British reporter rescued in Basra
Last Updated: Monday, April 14, 2008 | 11:06 AM ET Comments1Recommend2CBC News
The Iraqi military says a British journalist kidnapped two months ago in the southern city of Basra has been rescued.

Basra security commander Lt.-Gen. Mohan al-Fireji said the journalist, Richard Butler, who was working at the time for the CBS television program, 60 Minutes, was found during a raid on a house used by militants.

He was in good condition, the commander said, and a group of kidnappers was arrested in the same raid.

CBS has confirmed the report of Butler's rescue but provided no further details.

The journalist and his Iraqi interpreter were kidnapped in mid-February in Basra. The interpreter was later released.

Forces loyal to the radical Shia cleric Moqtada Al Sadr were involved in negotiations to free the two, but fighting between Sadr's militia and Iraqi army forces that began in late March is thought to have delayed the British journalist's release.

Basra has been quieter in recent days as Iraqi soldiers continue house-to-house searches for militants and weapons, encountering little resistance.