Transcript for Aug. 8, 1991: Shi'ite Muslims release British hostage John McCarthy

Good evening UN Secretary General Paris to qua I said today that the release of John McCarthy may be the beginning of a process that could lead to the release of all hostages. In fact terroristic play our said he has information indicating an American possibly Terry Anderson could be freed by tomorrow. When McCarthy surfaced in Damascus today he was carrying a letter from his captors the Islamic Jihad two of the UN Secretary General. ABC's Jerry King was there. McCarthy was reunited with his father and his brother who had just flown here from London to celebrate his release. The 34 year old journalist was in good spirits as he met briefly with reporters. Until the British ambassador referred to the other western hostages still in Lebanon. Enough schools and schools tend to the other defendants who are still way. McCarthy had to fight back tears. We he had recovered his composure by the time he spoke. Well. It's very nice to be by it is. McCarthy said he did assured that the other eleven western hostages were being well treated and that he had seen three of them only two days ago. I'm happy to be able to tell that the families. The American hostages. As Terry Anderson and Thomas Sutherland and my fellow Briton Terry Waite. That when I left him two days ago they were in good health and in good spirits. And that living conditions recently. A total net and think of because Colin good. It's the first known sighting of Terry Waite the representative of Britain's archbishop of Canterbury in captivity. There have even been reports he had died McCarthy seemed unaware of them. Terry Waite for instance has had been very sick in a very bad poem with his lungs I snuck. They did take him to a doctor and gave him medicine for that and and I hope that that he will be okay and until he's released. McCarthy said the letter used caring for the UN Secretary General says that the kidnappers want the release of all the hostages and prisoners. Including those held in Israel. They said that they believe the time. Was right now tend to hold the situation old western hostages. Despite the optimism John McCarthy's release has brought it's still not clear tonight whether this is just a gesture on the part of the kidnappers. Or really the beginning of the end of the hostage crisis. Jerry King ABC news Damascus. After McCarthy. Was kidnapped in 1985 not a word was heard about him no claim of responsibility. It wasn't until three years later when a released French hostage reported seeing him. That the outside world knew he was still alive. In London ABC's Jim Laurie on his return. McCarthy arrived home tonight we're a remarkable campaign have been waged to gain his release. There were cheers in the crock of champagne corks at the offices of worldwide television news owned by ABC news. WTN had set McCarthy to Beirut on his first overseas assignment. There was particular joy also among close friends like you'll Burrell who with others had waged non stop publicity campaign for his freedom. Just ecstatic. And then eat in the heat it's difficult taking indecent I think that implications of middle but there isn't time as so many elections coming months. And. The campaign Jill led included rock videos. And slick advertising. Her efforts it made Jill so well known here that strangers stopped traffic to congratulate her on McCarthy's release. The sad part of McCarthy's homecoming though is the absence of his mother who died shortly after recording this appeal for his release two years ago. McCarthy only learned of her death today. At London's saint bride's church today there was a service of Thanksgiving. Friends had lit candles here for each of his 1942. Days in captivity. Today they stopped Jim Laurie ABC news London.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.