Scribes' release: Obama thanks Clinton

Relieved at the safe return of two female American journalists who were arrested in North Korea some five months ago, US President Barack Obama today thanked the former First Citizen Bill Clinton for his "extraordinary humanitarian" effort in this regard.

"I want to thank President Bill Clinton -- I had a chance to talk to him -- for the extraordinary humanitarian effort that resulted in the release of the two journalists. I want to thank Vice President Al Gore who worked tirelessly in order to achieve a positive outcome," Obama said.

Clinton returned the US today along with the two journalists Laura King and Euna Lee after his unannounced, but successful visit to Pyongyang seeking their release. King and Lee -- reporters of the California-based Current TV were pardoned by North Korea after Bill Clinton met the top North Korean leadership.

"We are obviously extraordinarily relieved. I had an opportunity to speak with the families yesterday once we knew that they were on the plane," Obama told reporters in his brief appearance at the South Lawn.

"The reunion that we've all seen on television I think is a source of happiness not only for the families but for the entire country," he said, referring to the television scenes of the reunion of the families with the two journalists.

"I think that not only is this White House obviously extraordinarily happy, but all Americans should be grateful to both former President Clinton and Vice President Gore for their extraordinary work," he said.

What Clinton says

Bill Clinton today expressed deep sense of relief over the release of two American woman journalists in North Korea and said he undertook the mission following a request from the families of the scribes and the White House.

"I am very happy that after this long ordeal, Laura Ling and Euna Lee are now home and reunited with their loved ones," Clinton said in a statement after he arrived in the United States this morning along with the journalists.

"When their families, Vice President Gore and the White House asked that I undertake this humanitarian mission, I agreed. I share a deep sense of relief with Laura and Euna and their families that they are safely home," Clinton said in his statement.