Obama meets hiker Sarah Shourd

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama Thursday met with Sarah Shourd, the U.S. hiker released this month after being detained for more than a year in Iran.

The president also met with Shourd's mother, Norah Shourd, and the parents of two Americans still being held in Iran for alleged espionage. Cindy Hickey, the mother of Shane Bauer, and Laura Fattal and Alex Fattal, parents of Josh Fattal, took part in the meeting, the White House said in a statement.

"We share in the joy of Sarah's family, friends and all Americans who have lent their support, prayers and hope throughout this horrific ordeal," the statement said.

In welcoming Sarah Shourd home to the United States, Obama said the occasion was "bittersweet."

"Sarah's fiance Shane Bauer and their friend Josh Fattal are still in detention in Iran," the White House statement said. "We remain hopeful that Iran will demonstrate renewed compassion and do the right thing by ensuring the safe return of Shane, Josh and all the other missing or detained Americans in Iran."

Obama said the United States will do all it can to secure the release of Bauer and Josh Fattal.

Sarah Shourd, 32, met last week with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in New York. She called the encounter a "very gracious gesture and a good meeting," the Iranian government-backed PRESSTV news agency reported.

Ahmadinejad was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly session.

Iran released Sarah Shourd Sept. 14, citing humanitarian grounds, after bail of $500,000 was paid.