clipped from: english.aljazeera.net   

Iran has released an American-born journalist jailed for spying for the United States after a court reduced her sentence.

Roxana Saberi was sentenced to eight years in prison last month, but Monday's ruling saw that cut to a two-year suspended sentence.

"I'm OK. I don't want to make any comments but I am OK," she said shortly after walking out of Tehran's Evin prison. She was then driven away by her father.

Barack Obama, the US president, welcomed what he called a "humanitarian gesture" by Iran.

"He was relieved to see that Roxana Saberi has been released," Robert Gibbs, the White House spokesman, said.

"We know this has been a trying time for her family and friends and he looks forward to welcoming her home to the United States.

"We want to continue to stress that she was wrongly accused, but we welcome this humanitarian gesture."

Parents 'happy'

"She was very hopeful and we were very hopeful [that she would win the appeal], so we are happy with the news,