Midlands teacher held hostage by Islamic militants is released
A former Kidderminster teacher held hostage by Islamic militants in Libya has been released and reunited with his family.
David Bolam, 53, who worked at the International School in Benghazi, was abducted earlier this year, according to reports.
Mr Bolam was headteacher of the Hartlebury School, near Kidderminster, before leaving the country some years ago.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are glad that David Bolam is safe and well after his ordeal, and that he has been reunited with his family. We have been supporting his family since he was taken."
She added: " We do not comment on the detail of hostage cases. The family have asked for privacy."
His kidnapping had not been reported at the request of the Foreign Office and his family, reports said.
It is thought his release was secured by local political factions and that money changed hands
Mr Bolam, from from Craven Arms in Shropshire , who worked as the principal at the school in northern Libya, was abducted on a shopping trip in May.
He was reunited with his family on Thursday night following his four-month ordeal.
Watch the video of David Bolam making a plea to David Cameron for his release
Ged O'Connor Challis, who worked with the English teacher at the International School until leaving in December amid growing violence in the country, told the BBC he spoke to Mr Bolam on the phone on the morning he was kidnapped, and school staff later said "one of the local militias had grabbed David as he went out shopping".
On August 28, a video of Mr Bolam making a plea to David Cameron for his release was published online.
In the video he begged the Prime Minister to agree to a hostage swap to secure his release..
He said: "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."
It has not been officially confirmed who was holding Mr Bolam hostage, although there are claims that the video was released by a group calling itself Jeish al-Islam (Army of Islam).
Michael Aron, the UK's ambassador to Libya, tweeted:
