France rejoices in hostages’ freedom

TWO French journalists freed after a 4-month hostage ordeal in Iraq returned to a heroes’ welcome in Paris yesterday as the relieved government basked in a national wave of joy at their safe release.

President Jacques Chirac and prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin were waiting at a military airport outside the capital to greet Georges Malbrunot and Christian Chesnot one day after they were freed by Iraqi militants.

Government officials said no ransom was paid.