1985: US hostages released in Beirut
Thirty-nine Americans being held captive by the Shia Muslim Amal militia in Lebanon are released on 30 June 1985.
Most of the hostages had been imprisoned in various Beirut safe-houses since their plane from Rome to Athens was hijacked 17 days earlier. One of the passengers, US Navy diver Robert Stethem, was killed on the first day of the crisis and his body was left on the airport tarmac.
The men's freedom was secured after intervention by the Syrian President, Hafez al-Assad, who contacted two Shia leaders to order their release.
From the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive. Originally broadcast on 30 June 1985.