"Whilst this is a successful rescue operation, our thoughts are with the remaining 139 hostages still held by pirates, 28 of whom have been there for just under two years, " the International Maritime Bureau said in a statement.

CNN: Ship crew held for 1,000 days rescued off coast of Yemen

Mr Christie has already said he will run for a second term as governor in November, but denied that thoughts of running for the presidency had led him to have the operation.

BBC: New Jersey governor has gastric band surgery

Mancini is already back in Italy for a minor eye operation and will probably not speak to Tevez before Friday, although his first thoughts on the situation should come at a press conference in Turin on Wednesday.

BBC: Carlos Tevez