Family of released soldier 'joyful and relieved'


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BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The parents of an American soldier freed by the Taliban in Afghanistan say they are "joyful and relieved" that there son is returning home.

Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was handed over to U.S. special forces by the Taliban in exchange for the release of five Afghan detainees from the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Obama administration officials said Saturday.

Bob and Jani Bergdahl released a statement Saturday through their family spokesman, Idaho National Guard Col. Tim Marsano. The Bergdahls say they "cannot wait to wrap our arms around our only son."

They say President Barack Obama called them to deliver the news that their son had been released. They thanked their son's supporters in Idaho and elsewhere and the government agencies who "never gave up."

Officials say Bergdahl was in good condition.

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