Detained journalist James Foley (MSJ ‘08) called home for the first time Saturday since being captured by pro-Gadhafi forces in Libya almost three weeks ago, the Associated Press reported Sunday.
Foley, 37, reached his mother at her home in Rochester, N.H. and told her that he was fine, felt strong, was not injured and was being treated well.
He added that he was eating and drinking, and had a bed, blanket and pillow. He expressed his gratitude to the Libyan people, GlobalPost reported.
Foley said he was being held in a Tripoli detention center.
News that Foley and colleagues Clare Gillis and Manu Brabo were in Tripoli first came to light when Gillis called home Thursday morning. Prior to that, the journalists’ whereabouts were unknown.
Foley’s mother, Diane Foley, told The Daily days prior to the phone call that the waiting had been emotionally taxing.
“It’s our worst nightmare,” she said.
Foley had been reporting on the rebel army for GlobalPost, the Boston-based news organization, since the middle of March. Uprisings against Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi began in February.
At a press conference Thursday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demanded the release of all U.S. citizens who have been “unjustly” detained in Libya.
At Northwestern, University spokesperson Al Cubbage said Wednesday that administrators would use social media and hang “Free Foley” flyers around campus to raise awareness about the situation.
“The University is very hopeful our alum will be freed,” he said. “We support any effort that leads to his release.”
Last week Foley’s parents said they had been told their son’s release was being coordinated with the Turkish embassy in Libya.
As new details about Foley’s whereabouts and well-being emerged over the weekend, NATO air strikes continued on the Libyan capital.
Reports pointed to at least two powerful missile strikes on Gadhafi’s Bab al-Azizia compound in Tripoli early Monday morning, BBC News said.
Officials and witnesses said the blasts were among the biggest to hit Tripoli so far.
The attacks followed a move Sunday by forces loyal to the Libyan leader bombarding areas in the western city of Misrata. At least six people were reported killed, according to the same BBC News report.
Upon learning that she might receive a phone call from her son last week, Diane Foley expressed a tempered hopefulness.
“This is a first step, and we’re very hopeful,” she said. “That’s all it is though: a first step. But it’s good news.”
