Taliban frees two reporters after 18 months

TWO French journalists rejoined their families smiling and laughing after 18 months in captivity in Afghanistan at the hands of Taliban Islamists who said they freed the men in a prisoner-swap.

Cameraman Stephane Taponier and reporter Herve Ghesquiere, both 48, stepped into the sunshine at a military airport near Paris, hugged and kissed relatives and shook hands with President Nicolas Sarkozy.

“I’m hungry for freedom, hungry for love, hungry full stop,” Taponier told France 3 television.