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Alan Johnston today said goodbye to Gaza City and said he would spend less time working in dangerous locations.

"I probably spent too much time working in the most appalling places and working too hard and not spending enough time with the family and friends," the BBC journalist said at a press conference in the British Consulate in Jerusalem.

"I have had enough of Gaza - maybe I will go back when it is a member of the EU or something like that," he joked.

"I have got to be careful and stay out of trouble for a long while," he added.

Johnston said he was "destroyed" watching footage of his elderly parents making a plea on Arabic television for his release.

"I couldn't believe I was putting them through that," he said, revealing that his regular guard had allowed him watch their address in what he said was "a rare moment of kindness" from his captors.

Mr Johnston also paid tribute to all the journalists who had brought his plight to the public's attention, paying particular tribute to the organisations with rolling news operations - the BBC, Sky News, al-Jazeera, CNN and Fox News.

"I felt at one point that all the journalists in the world were coming to my rescue, they weren't going to let go," he said.

"Every kidnap victim tells you that the worst thing is that the world is going to forget them. Thank you so much for helping me to stay alive."

Johnston said his job was to "explain things" but found his ordeal and sense of relief "difficult to put into words".

Simon Wilson, the BBC's Middle East bureau chief, said at the press conference that Johnston was likely to spend "a couple of days" recovering at the consulate before returning home.

At the same time as his press conference, Johnston's parents thanked the reporter's colleagues for the support they had shown them during their son's captivity.

The couple arrived at Bush House, the headquarters of the BBC World Service, to loud cheers and applause.

Standing on the steps in front of the building, Johnston's father told staff who had come out in the rain to welcome the family that they had drawn strength from their unfailing support.

"I want to tell you how much we have been buoyed up by the tremendous work from the BBC from Beijing to Kabul.

"You say we have strength, but you gave us that strength and I thank you," he said.

Holding banners with pictures of Johnston and the word "Free" above their heads, they cheered as Mr and Mrs Johnston and their daughter, Katriona, arrived at the building.

Mark Byford, the BBC's deputy director-general, told the family: "Nothing gives us greater pleasure than to know Alan Johnston is free.

"In adversity, in what we can only imagine has been the greatest strain, pain and stress, to be honest we have taken inspiration from you. You have been outstanding for Alan. We salute you."

The new culture, media and sport secretary, James Purnell, paid tribute to those who had worked for Johnston's release.

"Throughout his captivity many people have worked tirelessly to secure his freedom, and I pay tribute to their efforts," Mr Purnell said in a letter to the BBC director general, Mark Thompson.

"In particular, you and his colleagues at the BBC have shown unfailing determination and dignity to keep Alan's captivity at the forefront of public attention round the world.

"Journalists who work in dangerous parts of the world to bring us news do us all a great service. It is at times like this that we realise just what a debt of thanks we owe them."

source.

It's about time he was free.

I'm glad for him and his family.