LONDON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- British school teacher David Bolam has been released by Libyan militants after five months in captivity.
Bolam was the principal of the now-closed International School Benghazi when he was abducted in May.
Details of his abduction were not widely known due to a media blackout request from the British government. The British Foreign Office asked news agencies to refrain from publishing details of Bolam's abduction so as not to hinder negotiations for his release.
On August 28, a video of Bolam was posted online. Wearing a baggy white tee-shirt, the 53-year-old educator asked for help.
"I am a British teacher. My health is good at the moment. I have been here a very long time. I ask the British government and prime minister David Cameron ... please allow me to go back to my family. I ask my family and friends, and anyone else who hears this, please can you do something to let the government understand I need to go home soon. Please, please do something to help me."
His release was facilitated by local political factions and reportedly included an unspecified ransom payment.
The British government has denied involvement in the ransom payment. "We do not comment on the detail of hostage cases," the British Foreign Office said, adding that "Ransom payments to terrorists are illegal."
"We understand that David's release was agreed between local political factions. HMG [her Majesty's government] was not involved."
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond welcomed Bolam's release, tweeting Sunday "Glad that David Bolam is safe and well after his ordeal and has been reunited with his family, who we have been supporting since he was taken."
Glad that David Bolam is safe & well after his ordeal and has been reunited with his family, who we have been supporting since he was taken
— Philip Hammond (@PHammondMP) October 5, 2014
