James Foley (MSJ ’08) has been released from Libyan custody after more than 42 days of captivity.

Foley was originally captured April 5 while covering the Libyan conflict outside the city of Brega by pro-Gadhafi forces. Harvard alum Clare Gillis and Spanish photographer Manu Brabo were also captured with Foley and have also been released according to multiple news reports. A fourth journalist, British freelancer Nigel Chandler has also been released.

Foley contacted the GlobalPost soon after his release and said he was “overwhelmed” by the support shown during the course of his detainment.  Foley’s mother, Diane Foley, told the GlobalPost that she was “overjoyed” by the telephone call from her son.

“He told me he was well and looking forward to coming home,” she said. “We are extraordinarily grateful to the many people who have worked on his release and we hope to have him home as soon as possible.”