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An elderly British couple released by the Taliban authorities after almost eight months in detention in Afghanistan arrived back in the UK Saturday.Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, arrived on a flight from the Qatari capital Doha, where they had stayed for medical checks following their release on Friday.Qatar played a key role in helping to free the couple after mounting fears about their health.Barbie Reynolds smiled broadly as the couple walked out of the arrivals area at London's Heathrow airport, but did not stop to talk to reporters.They were accompanied by their daughter, Sarah Entwhistle, and British special representative to Afghanistan Richard Lindsay.The family has spoken of their "immense joy" on hearing that the Reynolds were released, and there were emotional scenes when they arrived in Doha on a flight from Kabul to be met by Entwhistle."This experience has reminded us of the power of diplomacy, empathy and international cooperation," their four children said in a joint statement on Friday."While the road to recovery will be long as our parents regain their health and spend time with their family, today is a day of tremendous joy and relief."The couple married in Kabul in 1970 and have spent almost two decades living in Afghanistan, running educational programmes for women and children. They also became Afghan citizens.When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they remained in Afghanistan against the advice of the British embassy.The Taliban authorities have not explained why the pair were detained.Speaking at Kabul airport on Friday before they left, Barbie Reynolds said the couple had been treated well and were "looking forward to seeing our children"."We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can. We are Afghan citizens," she added.Their son, Jonathan, echoed to the BBC that his parents were hoping to return to the country they love.In July, independent UN human rights experts called on the Taliban government to free the couple, warning that they risked "irreparable harm or even death" as their health deteriorated.Their family had made repeated pleas for their release, citing their failing health.Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said on Friday the couple "had violated the laws of Afghanistan" and were released from custody "following the judicial process".Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the "long-awaited news will come as a huge relief" to the family.

An elderly British couple detained in Afghanistan for almost eight months arrived in Qatar after their release by Taliban authorities on Friday amid concerns for their health.Taliban officials have declined to say why they arrested Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, in February as they were returning to their home."We've been treated very well. We're looking forward to seeing our children," said Barbie, in a red headscarf, standing next to her bearded husband, near a plane on the tarmac at Kabul airport."We are looking forward to returning to Afghanistan if we can. We are Afghan citizens," she added, after Qatar-brokered negotiations for their release.Later on Friday, they arrived in the Qatari capital Doha, where they were embraced by their daughter Sarah Entwistle and other family members, television images showed.Entwistle told AFPTV she was "overwhelmed with gratitude and relief"."This is a moment of immense joy for our family. We are deeply thankful to everyone who played a role in securing their release."A Qatari diplomat said the British couple would receive medical checks in Doha before leaving for London on Saturday on a commercial flight.The couple were married in Kabul in 1970, and have spent almost two decades living in Afghanistan running educational programmes for women and children. They also became Afghan citizens.When the Taliban returned to power in 2021, the couple remained in Afghanistan against the advice of the British embassy.Foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said the couple were handed over to British special representative to Afghanistan Richard Lindsay."Two British nationals named Peter and Barbara Reynolds, who had violated the laws of Afghanistan, were released from custody today following the judicial process," Balkhi said.The copule's family welcomed their release."This experience has reminded us of the power of diplomacy, empathy and international cooperation," their four children said in a joint statement."While the road to recovery will be long as our parents regain their health and spend time with their family, today is a day of tremendous joy and relief."The couple were first held in a maximum security facility, "then in underground cells, without daylight, before being transferred" to the intelligence services in Kabul, UN experts have said.In late July, independent UN human rights experts called on the Taliban government to free the couple, warning that they risked "irreparable harm or even death" as a result of the "rapid deterioration" of their physical and mental health.The couple's family had made repeated pleas for their release citing their failing health.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed their release, saying the "long-awaited news will come as a huge relief to them and their family"."I want to pay tribute to the vital role played by Qatar," including His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, "in securing their freedom", Starmer said in a statement.The British government advises citizens against travelling to Afghanistan, warning that its ability to offer consular assistance "is extremely limited".Russia is the only country to have officially recognised the Taliban government, which has imposed a strict version of Islamic law and been accused of sweeping human rights violations.Only a handful of embassies have reopened in the capital after it was overrun by the Taliban as NATO forces withdrew.Foreign ministry spokesman Balkhi said the government "does not view the matters of citizens from a political or transactional angle", adding that "Afghans, wherever they may be, should also receive consular services".It comes after US special envoy on hostages, Adam Boehler, made a rare visit to Kabul on Saturday to discuss the possibility of a prisoner exchange.At least one US citizen, Mahmood Habibi, is held in Afghanistan.Dozens of foreign nationals have been arrested since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021 following the NATO pullout.

Qatar announced that it had facilitated the release of two UK citizens detained in Afghanistan. The detainees, Peter Reynolds and his wife, Barbie Reynolds, arrived in Doha Friday and will depart for London at a later date.In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi expressed Qatar's appreciation for the fruitful co-operation shown by both the Afghan caretaker government and the United Kingdom.HE Dr al-Khulaifi also noted Qatar's efforts, its continuous encouragement of direct dialogue and its firm belief in multilateral co-operation to enhance and preserve human dignity and protect human rights, stressing in this context that Qatar is always keen in its mediation to consolidate human values ​​by protecting lives and guaranteeing rights.Meanwhile, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudawi praised Qatar's efforts in the release of UK citizens.Albudawi said in a statement that the efforts reflect Qatar's commitment to enhancing security and stability in the region and the world, as well as its ability to communicate with all sides of a conflict, through its wise policy of mediation and dialogue.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Friday hailed the "vital role" played by Qatar in winning the release of a British couple.He welcomed the release of Reynolds, 80, and his wife, Barbie, 76, saying: "This long-awaited news will come as a huge relief to them and their family.""I want to pay tribute to the vital role played by Qatar," including His Highness Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, "in securing their freedom", Starmer added in a statement."We've been treated very well. We're looking forward to seeing our children," said Barbie.On their arrival in Doha, the couple embraced by their daughter Sarah Entwistle and other family members, television images showed.Entwistle told AFPTV she was "overwhelmed with gratitude and relief"."This is a moment of immense joy for our family. We are deeply thankful to everyone who played a role in securing their release."A Qatari diplomat said the British couple would receive medical checks in Doha before leaving for London on a commercial flight.