MUAR: The elder brother of one of two Malaysians released by the United States after 21 years of captivity for terrorism-related offences says the family's prayers have been answered.
Najib Lep, 60, said he could not believe the news at first when he was told his brother, Mohammed Nazir Lep, had been released into Malaysian custody.
"All this while, the family has been hoping he would return home after spending so many years (in custody).
"We wait for him here... we have been praying that he would be released," he said when contacted.
Earlier, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said 47-year-old Nazir and another Malaysian, Mohamad Farik Amin, 48, had been released by the US from detention at its facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The duo had spent 21 years in US custody, 18 of which were at Guantanamo.
Saifuddin had said Malaysia had accepted custody of the duo on humanitarian grounds.
For the Lep family, Nazir's return marks the end of a long and painful chapter.
"We've waited for this day for so many years. It's truly a blessing," Najib added.