He said he had felt sadness and anger at his kidnapping because he was very attached to inhabitants of the parish where he works - Christians, animists and Muslims alike. "I was quite sure that many people were thinking of me, were working and praying for everything to turn out alright," he said. Mr Hollande thanked both the Nigerian and Cameroonian authorities for helping secure the priest's release, and particularly Cameroon's President Paul Biya for his "personal involvement." A French diplomatic source said Father Vandenbeusch was freed in the early hours of Tuesday in northern Cameroon and was being flown by the army to be received by the French ambassador. Six French nationals continue to be held hostage in Mali and Syria.