By  Christopher Rice

U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was believed to be in the custody of the Haqqani network, a hard-line faction of the Taliban, was handed over peacefully to a team of Special Operations troops in an unspecified location in Afghanistan, U.S. officials said. 

The only U.S. service member known to be held hostage in Afghanistan, was handed over Saturday morning by members of the Taliban in exchange for 65 prisoners released in February from Afghan prisons, and five Afghan detainees held at the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, U.S. officials said. 

ADVERTISEMENT - STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The prisoner swap deal, which the Obama administration has pursued for several years, began gaining traction last fall after members of the Taliban indicated they were amenable to negotiating on that narrow issue, but through intermediaries. 

ADVERTISEMENT - STORY CONTINUES BELOW

The soldier, who went missing after walking off his base in June 2009, appeared to be in relatively good health.

take our poll - story continues below

Whom do you consider to be the most corrupt Democrat Politician?

• Whom do you consider to be the most corrupt Democrat Politician?  

• Whom do you consider to be the most corrupt Democrat Politician?*
  • Dianne Feinstein
  • Maxine Waters
  • Adam Schiff
  • Chuck Schumer
  • Kamala Harris
  • Kirsten Gillibrand
  • Keith Ellison
  • Cory Booker
• Email*
• Comments
  This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Completing this poll grants you access to AFF updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

After the soldier was aboard a helicopter, he grabbed a paper plate and wrote the letters “SF?” inquiring whether the troops he was with were Special Forces, a senior Defense Department official said.

ADVERTISEMENT - STORY CONTINUES BELOW

“Yes,” one of the members of the team responded. “We’ve been looking for you for a long time.”

The deal was brokered by the government of Qatar, which has agreed to host the five Taliban inmates in the Gulf emirate for at least one year. The inmates are expected to travel to Doha on Saturday.

“…as we find relief in Bowe’s recovery, our thoughts and prayers are with those other Americans whose release we continue to pursue.” President Obama

“Performing a trade of this sort has put every soldier in Afghanistan at risk, as the Taliban can simply capture more people so that they can demand the release of more Taliban members.” Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Van Hipp, told General Strike to end Corruption.

 We can no longer in good conscience trust the police to police themselves. Link to this article from forums and blogs. Mention it with links in your comments on blogs. PROMOTE IT..

Re-Post to Reddit, Digg, Facebook, Twitter, etc. (below)

RESIST TYRANNY!!!  

DO THE MATH! WE HAVE GARBAGE RUNNING OUR COUNTRY! UNBELIEVABLE!!! 

SEE MORE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT GENERAL STRIKE TO END CORRUPTION! 

DEAN JAMES @ AMERICAS FREEDOM FIGHTERS

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND FOLLOW ON TWITTER!