Relief for Sala says Schlein, thanking cabinet-diplomats

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 8 - Elly Schlein, the leader of the opposition, centre-left Democratic Party (PD) hailed the release on Wednesday of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, expressing relief and thanking the government, the diplomatic corps and intelligence services for working hard to bring her back home.
    "The news we were waiting for and we hoped to receive as soon as possible", said Schlein, commenting the announcement on Wednesday morning that Sala had been released by Iran and was on her way back to Italy.
    "Cecilia Sala's liberation is a relief and knowing she will soon be in Italy fills me with joy", said the PD leader, thanking the "government, the diplomatic corps and (intelligence) services and those who worked incessantly over these last 20 days of apprehension and anguish for this result.
    "We are waiting for you, Cecilia", said Schlein.
    Meanwhile the leader of the opposition 5-Star Movement (M5S) Giuseppe Conte welcomed the "good news after days of tensions" on social media.
    "Cecilia Sala is finally returning home and will be able to embrace her family again", wrote Conte, praising the cabinet, diplomatic corps and intelligence service members "who made this result possible". (ANSA).