In Afghanistan, two French journalists held hostage by the Taliban for 18 months have returned to France after being freed by their captors. Television journalist Stephane Taponier and Herve Ghesquiere were freed by their hostages after holding them for 547 days. Taliban also released their Afghan translator, Reza Din. After the release they told reporters they were not beaten or mistreated by their captors, but their living conditions were very difficult. They were abducted in December 2009 while working on a story about reconstruction in east of Kabul. French President Nicolas Sarkozy praised Afghan government for the handling of the situation and thanked others involved in securing the hostages' freedom.