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Parents of German hostage rejoice at son's freedom

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Released Finnish hostages Risto Vahanen, center, Seppo Franti, right, and German Marc Wallert, left, talk to the press as they are presented by hostage negotiators Robert Aventajado, right foreground, and former Libyan envoy Rajab Azzarouq in Zamboanga city in southern Philippines following their release Saturday, Sept. 9, 2000 from their Muslim Abu Sayyaf abductors. The last remaining four Western hostages were released Saturday but not before a firefight between two factions of the Abu Sayyaf. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

September 10, 2000 

BERLIN (AP) - The parents of freed German hostage Marc Wallert rejoiced at news of his release Saturday by Philippine kidnappers, who had released his mother and father earlier but kept him captive.

"This is the happiest day of my life," teacher Werner Wallert said in the family's hometown of Goettingen after the German Foreign Ministry called him to confirm his son's release. "But I'll only believe he's free when I see him at the helicopter."

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder voiced relief. "I especially thank Libya for successfully pursuing its efforts" to broker the release of the hostages by Muslim rebels on the island of Jolo, he said in a statement.

"I share the joy of the Wallert family that the time of uncertainty and worry is now over," the German leader said. "It proved right that the German government insisted on a peaceful solution. Our patience was rewarded."

Libya last week paid dlrs 6 million to free six European and South African hostages, including Werner Wallert. The Abu Sayyaf rebels kidnapped the Wallerts and 18 other people on April 23 on the Malaysian tourist island of Sipadan. Wallert's wife, Renate, was freed on July 17.