Abducted Afghan Diplomat Freed After Two Years

Abdul Khaliq Farahi in a September 2008 photo

Afghan officials say a senior Afghan diplomat taken hostage by gunmen two years ago in Pakistan has been freed.

Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry released a statement saying Abdul Khaliq Farahi, the country's ambassador-designate to Pakistan and consul-general in the Pakistani city of Peshawar, was "freed on November 13 after more than two years and returned to his country and family."

The statement thanked the Pakistani government for their cooperation in securing his release.

Farahi, who was ambushed and captured at gunpoint in September 2008, was said to have met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai earlier today.

There has been no immediate response from Pakistan.

compiled from agency reports