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Formerly Jailed Marylander Headed Home From Libya

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The family of an American who was jailed in Libya for six months and then joined rebel fighters says he will be home this weekend.

Sharon VanDyke says her son, Matthew VanDyke, is expected to arrive at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport Saturday evening.

The 32-year-old writer is returning eight months after he departed on a trip to witness the Libyan uprising against longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi. He had been working on a book and film about his travels with a friend by motorcycle through the Middle East and southeast Asia.

VanDyke was captured in March by forces loyal to Gadhafi and was freed by rebels in August. VanDyke remained in Libya to find out whether friends made it through the fighting safely and he later joined rebel fighters.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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