US journalist released from jail in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Sep 9 (Reuters) US journalist Paul Salopek today arrived in Khartoum after being released from jail in Sudan's Darfur region where he had been charged with espionage and publishing false information.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson travelled to Sudan and held talks with President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum. He yesterday said he had secured Salopek's release on humanitarian grounds.

Salopek, a New Mexico resident, and his Chadian driver and translator were arrested last month after crossing the border illegally into Darfur from Chad.

REUTERS SBA PM2312