Obama: US soldier Bowe Bergdahl 'was never forgotten'

President Barack Obama has welcomed the release of a US soldier who was held by the Taliban in Afghanistan for nearly five years.

The US president said that while US Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl was gone, "he was never forgotten''.

Mr Obama was joined at the White House by the soldier's parents, Robert and Jani Bergdahl.

Sgt Bergdahl was turned over by the Taliban in exchange for the release of five Afghan detainees who were held at the US prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.