When Clinton met Kim

Clinton met Kim Jong-il, the country's leader in a bid to negotiate the release of two American journalists [AFP]

According to North Korean state media, Clinton had an "exhaustive conversation" with Kim and his aides[AFP]

State media also said that Clinton passed on a message from Barack Obama, the US president [AFP]

But US officials denied the claims and emphasised the private nature of Clinton's trip [AFP]

Clinton's effort to release Laura Ling and Euna Lee proved successful with Kim granting them a pardon [Reuters]

Lee, far left, and Ling, centre, arrived in California on Wednesday where they were greeted at the airport by their relatives. [GALLO/GETTY]