Kidnapped U.S. missionary pilot Kevin Rideout released

BENGHAZI, Libya (NBC, KYMA) - The media office of Libya's eastern based forces, the Libyan National Army, released video Monday showing Kevin Rideout following his release.

Rideout is an American missionary pilot, who was kidnapped in neighboring Niger last October last year.

Authorities in eastern Libya under military commander Khalifa Haftar reportedly helped secure the release of the hostage held by an Islamic state affiliate in West Africa's Sahel region, escorting him to freedom through Libya.

Four sources told Reuters that a deal was brokered, with one saying saying a ransom was paid.

However, a senior source in Haftar's forces said they had carried out a military operation in Mali to free the hostage.

Malian government officials were not immediately available for comment.

Haftar's involvement in the freeing of a U.S. hostage reflects how he has carved out a position as a major security broker in the broader Sahel region, and has used it as leverage to curry favor with the Trump administration.

The State Department declined to comment. The White House did not respond to a request for comment about Haftar's involvement.

Rideout worked for the Evangelical agency SIM international.

The U.S. has made recovering Rideout one of its top priorities in the Sahel.

The Trump administration lifted sanctions on top Malian government officials earlier this year in an effort to secure overflight access to the country's airspace to hunt for the pilot.

For months, officials believed Rideout may have been moved to Malian territory.

It was not clear what, if anything, was traded in exchange for his release. One of the sources said the Libyan side had paid a ransom, without providing further details.