Dubai: A British petroleum engineer freed in a UAE military intelligence mission from his Al Qaida captors is one grateful expatriate after landing both feet firmly back on the ground in the United Kingdom.
Douglas Robert Semple, 64, who was kidnapped by Al Qaida in February 2014 while working in the Hadramaut area of Yemen, was bursting with gratitude on Tuesday.
His return marked the end of an 18-month hostage taking for the oil worker.
“I am delighted and relieved to be back home safely and to be reunited with my family after such a long time,” Semple said in a statement issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
A long list of players made his release, return to the UAE and eventual journey home possible, he said.
“My wife Sallie and I want to thank all the people who supported us through this ordeal, especially the Foreign Office, Hostage UK, the police, our family, friends and well wishers, and the UAE forces who secured my release. We are incredibly grateful to you all,” Semple said.
“We would also like to thank the media for showing restraint during my 18 months in captivity, and I ask that this continues, allowing me to enjoy some valuable and much missed time with my family. It is great to be home.”
Earlier, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, telephoned British Prime Minister David Cameron to brief him on a UAE Armed Forces operation in Aden that reached the location in Yemen where the UK citizen had been kidnapped by the terrorist Al Qaida organisation.
Cameron tweeted on Sunday his gratitude to the UAE for freeing Semple.
“I’m so pleased for the family of the British hostage in Yemen — who has been released safe and well. Thanks to the UAE for their help,” Cameron said.
