Freeing of hostages in Pakistan a 'positive sign' - U.S. general

FILE PHOTO: General Joseph L. Votel, Commander, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) speaks to the media during the Change of Command U.S.Naval Force Central Command 5th Fleet Combined Maritime Forces ceremony at the U.S.Naval Base in Bahrain, September 19, 2017. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) - The freeing of a kidnapped U.S.-Canadian couple and their three children in Pakistan is a positive sign and a recognition of how seriously Islamabad takes the protection of American citizens, a senior U.S. military official said on Thursday.

"We are very appreciative for the efforts of the Pakistani military in helping effect the securing of our American hostages that have been held there, and a Canadian citizen, for quite some time," said General Joseph Votel. As head of U.S. Central Command, Votel oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East and South Asia, including Afghanistan.