"In a brief statement issued to reporters in Kennebunkport, Maine, where Mr. Bush is on holidays, the White House spokesman said the president was pleased by the release of John McCarthy, but wanted all hostages freed immediately, safely and unconditionally." "British journalist John McCarthy will be back in Britain tonight, following his release by kidnappers in Lebanon. He is on a plane which left the Syrian capital Damascus just over two hours ago, bound for RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire. John McCarthy is released."