Sooden briefly reunited with father, due in NZ tomorrow

Harmeet Sooden

Freed hostage Harmeet Sooden is on his way back to Auckland after a brief meeting with his father in the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Sooden, 33, was rescued with two other members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), from a house west of Baghdad by United States, British and Canadian troops on Thursday.

Mr Sooden and his father Daleep Sooden were briefly reunited in a secret location in Dubai, TVNZ reported tonight.

Mark Brewer, Mr Sooden's brother-in-law said the meeting was very important for the family.

"It brought a sense of closure, especially for his dad who got to see him and it was great for him," he said.

"You can't be disappointed seeing someone after so long and obviously that was the feeling for his dad."

The family had hoped to bring Mr Sooden back to Auckland with them, but Canadian officials decided to escort him themselves for security reasons.

Mr Sooden was rescued along with Canadian James Loney, 41, who is on his way back to Canada and Norman Kember, 74, of Britain, who has already returned home.

The fourth CPT worker taken hostage, American Tom Fox, was found dead earlier this month.

Mr Sooden is expected to arrive in Auckland tomorrow.

- NZPA