KABUL–Two television journalists held in captivity in Afghanistan for nearly 18 months arrived in France Thursday to an emotional welcome. Both journalists were kidnapped in December 2009 while reporting east of Kabul.

Television reporter Hervé Ghesquière, 47, tears of joy in his eyes, described being confined indoors "23 and three-quarters hours a day" and repeatedly having his hopes raised of an imminent release — then dashed, the Associated Press reported.

"When...