A nearly seven - year - long journey through Beirut 's heart of darkness ended Wednesday for Terry Anderson , the longest - held of the Western hostages in Lebanon , bringing almost to a close a chapter of Middle East history that condemned successive U.S. administrations to frustrated impotence before a shadowy group of radical Muslims . We call for the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those held outside the legal system in the region, including the two German hostages."; Muslim sources in Beirut and Iranian officials have said Thomas Kemptner, 30, and Heinrich Streubig, 50, who were kidnapped May 16, 1989, are expected to be released soon. Anderson arrived in Beirut early today and was reunited with the friends who worked tirelessly for his release . At a press conference in Damascus , Syria , on Wednesday , the 44-year - old journalist said his companions sustained him in his long ordeal in captivity , his religious faith and his " stubbornness . "
A nearly seven - year - long journey through Beirut 's heart of darkness ended Wednesday for Terry Anderson , the longest - held of the Western hostages in Lebanon , bringing almost to a close a chapter of Middle East history that condemned successive U.S. administrations to frustrated impotence before a shadowy group of radical Muslims . Anderson arrived in Beirut early today and was reunited with the friends who worked tirelessly for his release . At a press conference in Damascus , Syria , on Wednesday , the 44-year - old journalist said his companions sustained him in his long ordeal in captivity , his religious faith and his " stubbornness . "