Chirac breaks off Moroccan vacation to greet freed journalists in Paris

PARIS, Dec 21 (AFP) - French President Jacques Chirac is to break off a Christmas vacation in Morocco and return to Paris to greet two French journalists freed in Iraq after being held hostage for four months, his office said Tuesday. Chirac, who was expected back in the French capital late Tuesday, expressed his "joy" at the news of the release of reporters Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot, the office said.

A statement from Chirac read: "At the end of this long wait, shared by all the French, I want to express all our joy to our two compatriots and to their families and their loved ones who showed extraordinary courage and responsibility.

"In the name of all the French, I express my gratitude to all the authorities and services which worked without pause to obtain their release."

An official said Chirac would make a public statement Wednesday, "once the plane carrying Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot has left Baghdad."