Abducted girl reunited with mother

Missing six-year-old Nadia Fawzi, who was abducted by her father and taken to Libya

12 April 2012

An "overjoyed" mother has been reunited with her six-year-old daughter - two years after the youngster was abducted by her father and taken to Libya.

Nadia Fawzi had been kept in hiding since May 2007 when she was snatched by her father Fawzi Abuarghub.

The youngster is now back in the arms of her mother Sarah Taylor, from Wigan, Greater Manchester.

Ms Taylor said: "I am overjoyed to be reunited with Nadia after two years apart - almost a third of her young life.

"I am delighted that she is fit and well, if naturally disorientated by this sudden change in the pattern of her life.

"We will spend the next few days just getting to know each other again."

Following the abduction, Ms Taylor left her job, sold her house and moved to the north African country where she was awarded custody of Nadia by the courts.

Despite being arrested by the Libyan authorities, Abuarghub refused to disclose Nadia's whereabouts.

The mother's campaign was supported by her MP, Health Secretary Andy Burnham and, in July, Prime Minister Gordon Brown asked the Libyan leader, Colonel Gaddafi, for his help.

Ms Taylor paid tribute to help she has received from the Government and Greater Manchester Police.