Cecilia Sala 'very happy' after release - partner (3)

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 8 - Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was "very happy" after being released by the Iranian authorities on Wednesday following her arrest on December 19, according to her partner.
    "I spoke to her, she said - 'see you in a little while'," the partner, Daniele Raineri, told ANSA.
    "She was excited and very happy. 'See you in Rome' I said to her".
    The woman's father, Renato Sala, was in tears after the news of her release.
    "I am proud of her," Renato Sala told ANSA.
    "I have only cried three times in my life. I think the government of our country has done an exceptional job...
    "It was an extraordinary job of coordination. I trusted Cecilia's strength.
    "I will tell Cecilia that I am proud of her and the skill and composure she showed in this matter.
    "I spoke to her three times during her days of captivity.
    "During this time I had the impression it was a chess game, but there weren't just two players.
    "At a certain point the chessboard got crowded and this created strong fears in a parent like me, who, unfortunately, didn't know what the moves were".
    Renato Sala gave special thanks to Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
    "Fortunately, Antonio Tajani and I lived in close proximity to each other for 12 years and there was an acquaintance that turned into a friendship," he said.
    "The comfort of having direct, immediate information, albeit protected, undoubtedly helped a lot". (ANSA).