They first met in the boot of a car almost 30 years ago. Now Terry Waite and John McCarthy have been reunited on Lebanese soil, sharing a joke about the country’s improved hospitality.

On Thursday night, as guests of Lebanon’s ambassador to London, the two men warmly embraced.

Waite, who turns 80 later this month, was receiving an award for a lifetime devoted to charitable work. McCarthy, now aged 62, was there to support him.

McCarthy, a television journalist, had been kidnapped by jihadi terrorists in April 1986 and held in captivity until his release in August 1991.

Waite, the Church of England’s special envoy, had gone to Beirut in January 1987 to negotiate McCarthy’s release.

Instead he…

To continue reading this article

Start a 30-day free trial for unlimited access to Premium articles

  • Unlimited access to Premium articles 
  • Subscriber-only events and experiences
  • Cancel any time

Free for 30 days

then only £2 per week

Try Premium

Save 25% with an annual subscription

Just £75 per year

 

Save now

Register for free and access one Premium article per week

Register

Only subscribers have unlimited access to Premium articles.Register for free to continue reading this article
RegisterOr unlock all Premium articles.
Free for 30 days, then just £1 per week
Start trial
Save 40% when you pay annually.
View all subscription options  |
Already have an account? Login

Login

Print subscriber? Click here

Click Here: gws giants guernsey 2019