Australian hostage Douglas Wood has been rescued in a military operation in Iraq, Prime Minister John Howard says. "I am delighted to inform the House that the Australian hostage in Iraq, Mr Douglas Wood, is safe," Mr Howard told Parliament. "Mr Wood was recovered a short while ago in Baghdad in a military operation that I am told was conducted by Iraqi forces in cooperation in a general way with force elements of the United States."Mr Wood, 63, had been held hostage in Iraq for four weeks. Mr Howard says Mr Wood is now under the protection of the Australian emergency response team in Baghdad. "I understand that he is well - he's undergoing medical checks at the present time," he said. "I know that all Australians will be jubilant at this news - this man has suffered immensely."
The Prime Minister has paid tribute to Mr Wood's family, who he says has demonstrated enormous resolve and courage in its efforts to secure his release. There is no word on when Mr Wood will be returned to Australia. His family are yet to comment on his release.