Turkey helps free Guardian journalist in Libya

Mar 17, 2011 |

Ankara

Tags:

President Abdullah Gul

Turkish President Abdullah Gul intervened for the release of a reporter from the Guardian newspaper in Libya who was set free on Wednesday, Anatolia news agency reported.

Gul ordered the Turkish foreign ministry to contact Libyan authorities after the Guardian newspaper asked the Turkish President to mediate, Anatolia said.

Iraqi journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, who has been working for the Guardian since 2004, was arrested earlier this month in Libya for illegally entering the country, which is in the throes of a bloody uprising.

A senior Turkish diplomat confirmed to AFP that London and the British newspaper called on Gul after Abdul-Ahad's arrest. Turkey represents British interests in Libya.

Alan Rusbridger, the managing editor of the Guardian, thanked Gul for his efforts, said Anatolia.

Gul also played a role in the release of two German journalists in Iran last month upon the demand of his German counterpart Christian Wulff.

Four reporters from the New York Times, however, are still missing in Libya. The US daily reported that they had no contact with them since Tuesday morning.

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