US soldier held captive for five years by Taliban freed

Officials in the United States have confirmed that an American soldier who was held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nearly five years was freed today in deal that includes the release of five Afghan detainees.



28-year-old Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was said to be in good health when he was handed over to US forces, but is undergoing medical tests at Bagram Air Field, the main US base in Afghanistan.



In return, the five Afghan detainees were released from the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and handed over to Qatar, which mediated the transfer.



US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel says Sergeant Bergdahl would be given all the support he needs to help recover from his ordeal.



News of his release was greeted with joy and relief by his parents, Robert and Jani Bergdahl, who told reporters they could not wait to see their only son.



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