Carroll 'freed by Sadr City residents'

Kidnapped Guardian reporter Rory Carroll was freed by Iraqis tonight, a day after he was snatched, a person involved in winning his release said.

The Guardian newspaper confirmed from London that Rory Carroll was released unharmed.

A resident of Baghdad’s Sadr City neighbourhood said he was sitting next to the 33-year-old Carroll tonight after his release.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said Carroll was kidnapped by criminals and that a group of Sadr City residents raided the area in which he was held and freed him.

His account of the release could not be confirmed.

Carroll was on assignment for The Guardian when he was kidnapped Wednesday in Baghdad.

The Guardian’s website quoted Carroll’s father Joe as saying he had spoken to Carroll tonight.

“He told me that he had been released, that he was perfectly OK and in an Iraqi government compound having a beer," Mr Carroll said.

“He just said: ‘I am safe and well and I have all my limbs on. I was in my cell and representatives of the Iraqi government came for me, they had a government car waiting. I have been in Baghdad all the time’."

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said: "I am utterly delighted for Rory Carroll and his family.

“The thoughts of all the Irish people were with them at this most difficult and anxious time.

“The Government is deeply grateful to all who helped achieve this happy outcome.

“In particular we have maintained the closest contact with a number of friends and partners, whose cooperation, both in their capitals and on the ground in Baghdad, has been quite outstanding,” Mr Ahern said.