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A New Zealand mercenary who helped a Canadian mother snatch back her children from their father in Lebanon has been reunited with his family in Auckland.
David Pemberton arrived back in the country yesterday having been held in a Beirut jail since December 20.
After originally facing a charge of kidnapping Melissa Hawach's two children, Pemberton was released on bail after the charge was downgraded to "obstruction of the course of justice".
He is understood to have been greeted in Auckland by his partner Dawn Fuller. from Napier, and other family members.
His lawyer Rob Latton said in a statement Pemberton was tired after his ordeal.
He had asked that his privacy be respected, and would consider carrying out interviews next week.
Pemberton, a former SAS soldier, and former Australian soldier Brian were accused of being part of a team of mercenaries hired by Ms Hawach to take her children from her ex-husband Joseph Hawach.
- NZPA
