Freed Hikers Race Down Plane Stairs to Families

Freed US hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer made brief statements to the media today, but a short CNN video of them touching down in Oman may say everything better. It shows Fattal and Bauer racing down the plane stairs into the arms of waiting family members amid shouts of joy. The reunion comes after two years of captivity in Iran. Sarah Shourd, a third hiker who got released earlier, was there. She and Bauer got engaged in captivity.

• Bauer: "Two years in prison is too long, and we sincerely hope for the freedom of other political prisoners and other unjustly imprisoned people in America and Iran."
• Fattal: "We are so happy we are free, and so relieved we are free. Our deepest gratitude goes towards his majesty, Sultan Qaboos of Oman, for obtaining our release. We are sincerely grateful (to) the government of Oman for hosting us and our families."

(More Josh Fattal stories.)