An American journalist held for nearly two years by militants linked to al-Qaeda in Syria has returned to the US, two days after Qatar negotiated his release, his family says.
Peter Theo Curtis, 45, was reunited with his mother Nancy Curtis at Boston Logan International Airport late on Tuesday after flying from Tel Aviv to Newark, New Jersey.
"I have been so touched and moved, beyond all words, by the people who have come up to me today - strangers on the aeroplane, the flight attendants and, most of all, my family - to say welcome home," Curtis said in a statement.
"I am also deeply indebted to the US officials who have worked on my case. I especially want to thank the government of Qatar for intervening on my behalf."
Curtis's family has said the Qatari government had repeatedly reassured them that it had not won his freedom through a cash payment, amid a growing debate over the US policy of refusing to pay ransoms to extremist groups.
The freelance journalist and author was released on Sunday, less than a week after grisly footage emerged of the execution of another US hostage, journalist James Foley, by the Islamic State - a separate group from the one that held Curtis.
"I am overwhelmed with relief that this day has come and my son is standing beside me. But this is a sober occasion because of the events of the past week. My heart goes out to the other families who are suffering," Nancy Curtis said.
"I would like to thank the many public and private individuals all over the world who have worked so hard to bring Theo home."
Curtis was captured shortly before he crossed into Syria in October 2012 and was held by the al-Qaeda splinter group known as Al-Nusra front, according to his family.
During his captivity, media outlets had refrained from using Curtis's name at the request of the family.
After his return to the US, the family requested privacy.
"We greatly appreciated the support of the press while Theo was in captivity," Nancy said.
"We now ask for some private time to adjust. Theo will be the best person to tell his story when he is ready."
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