France's foreign ministry says a French journalist detained in Iraq last month has been freed. Activists for media freedom and France's government had decried the detention.

Nadir Dendoune was detained in Baghdad on Jan. 23 for allegedly taking photos in restricted areas without necessary permits.

A French diplomatic official says journalist Nadir Dendoune left Iraqi custody Thursday and the French ambassador took him to the French Embassy in Baghdad. The French government says Dendoune's assistant Haqi Mohammed was also freed.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists had urged Iraqi authorities to release Dendoune. The committee has said ambiguities in Iraq's 2011 media law have created unnecessary barriers regarding access to information.