Ex-hostage Waite back in Beirut

Terry Waite said any "ghosts" had been dealt with.

Former hostage Terry Waite has said he feels no fear at being back in Lebanon for the first time since his release from captivity in 1992.

The Archbishop of Canterbury's former special envoy, from Hartest, near Bury St Edmunds, was held by the radical Islamic group Hezbollah for five years.

He has returned to Beirut for the YMCA's Y-Care International scheme.

Mr Waite told GMTV:"I thought I might feel a little apprehensive when I touched down but I didn't.

"If there were any ghosts they've been faced and dealt with many years ago."

During his visit Mr Waite will meet young people who benefit from Y-Care and collect material for the organisation's 20th anniversary events.

'Interesting'

Mr Waite's ordeal began in 1987 when he was seized as he attempted to negotiate the release of hostages on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

He spent most of his years in captivity in darkness chained to a wall in solitary confinement.

Lebanon has changed dramatically since I was there. I have memories of a city in ruins, I gather it has been rebuilt Terry Waite

On Monday Mr Waite told the BBC he thought his trip would be interesting.

"Lebanon has changed dramatically since I was there. I have memories of a city in ruins, I gather it has been rebuilt."

Asked how he would feel about meeting the people who held him hostage, Mr Waite replied that he thought it was "highly unlikely".

"I understand the Americans put a reward on their heads of $1m, and I don't think they will come out and see me while it's there.

"But I wouldn't mind meeting them. It would be very interesting to see where they are some years later."