President Biden thanked Rwanda's government on Friday for releasing Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda," and allowing him to return to his family in the U.S.

Rusesabagina, a 68-year-old U.S. resident and Belgian citizen, had his 25-year sentence for terrorism offenses commuted by presidential order after a request for clemency. A Rwanda government spokesperson said the commutation does not "extinguish" his conviction.

Biden released a statement Friday welcoming Rusesabagina home to the U.S.

"I welcome today’s release of Paul Rusesabagina by the Government of Rwanda," Biden wrote. "Paul’s family is eager to welcome him back to the United States, and I share their joy at today’s good news."

‘HOTEL RWANDA’ HERO PAUL RUSESABAGINA TO BE FREED

"I thank the Rwandan Government for making this reunion possible, and I also thank the Government of Qatar for facilitating Paul’s release and return to the United States," he continued. "I add my gratitude to those across the U.S. Government who have worked with the Government of Rwanda to achieve today’s happy outcome."

Rusesabagina inspired the 2004 film "Hotel Rwanda" for saving hundreds of people from genocide. But years later, he was convicted of eight charges — including membership in a terrorist group, murder and abduction — in a trial that has been widely criticized by the U.S. and others. The circumstances of his arrest, his limited access to an independent legal team and his deteriorating health sparked international backlash.

WHITE HOUSE FLOATS CUTTING UGANDA HEALTH AID OVER ANTI-HOMOSEXUALITY ACT

He went missing in 2020 during a visit to Dubai and appeared days later in Rwanda in handcuffs. His family says he was kidnapped and taken to Rwanda against his will to stand trial. Rusesabagina has also said he was gagged and tortured before he was jailed, but Rwandan authorities have denied this allegation.

Rusesabagina has said he was arrested due to his criticism of Rwanda's President Paul Kagame over alleged human rights abuses. Rwanda's government has denied accusations it targets dissenting voices with arrests and extrajudicial killings.

In an Oct. 14 letter posted on the justice ministry's website, Rusesabagina wrote "if I am granted a pardon and released, I understand fully that I will spend the remainder of my days in the United States in quiet reflection. I can assure you through this letter that I hold no personal or political ambitions otherwise. I will leave questions regarding Rwandan politics behind me."

Rusesabagina was given the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom after he sheltered more than 1,000 ethnic Tutsis at the hotel he managed during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide when more than 800,000 Tutsi and Hutus who attempted to protect them were killed.

He became a public critic of Kagame and left Rwanda in 1996, initially living in Belgium before moving to the U.S.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A severe weather outbreak across several southern states Friday evening and Saturday morning produced at least one deadly tornado in Mississippi.

FOX News Channel has confirmed at least seven dead in Rolling Fork, Mississippi and three in Carroll County, Mississippi, due to the storm that pummeled across the state Friday evening, destroying buildings and knocking out power for thousands of residents. FOX Weather confirmed at least two people were injured, too. Those numbers are expected to rise.

The severe line of storms prompted a tornado emergency to be issued in a few towns, which is the most dire of tornado-related alerts. By definition, it warns that a "large and violent" tornado likely to cause significant widespread damage, and numerous fatalities is on the ground.

Many areas across Mississippi experienced widespread damage, including the northeastern town of Amory, which is not too far from the Alabama state line. Resident Holly Barnes shared a series of photos on Facebook with the caption, "Amory got hit, but we got out. Trying to get home if we still have one."

2 DEAD IN MISSOURI FLOOD, TORNADO THREATS ACTIVE IN SOUTH

First responder agencies in the hardest hit towns posted on social media asking drivers to stay away from the ravaged areas. 

Amory's police and fire departments shared the same statement shortly after the tornado passed through:

"Please stay home and do not attempt to drive through Amory. Emergency crews can not do their jobs to help get power back on and assess damage and perform rescue if they cannot access areas. Please be safe and stay in a secure location instead of driving through Amory!"

The first major tornado started in the town of Rolling Fork, FOX Weather reported, and continued 30 miles northeast through Silver City – first responder agencies report severe damage in both areas. Radar analysis indicated it was on the ground for about 80 miles and lifted debris at least 20,000 feet in the air during its destructive path.

Fred Miller, the former mayor of Rolling Fork, told FOX Weather much of the town has been destroyed.

"The west part of Rolling Fork is a residential area, and just a number of houses over there have been completely destroyed," Miller said. "Highway 61, where most of our businesses are, all of the businesses on 61 have been completely destroyed. People are trapped in a couple of the eateries, and people are trying to get them out now."

RARE TORNADO RIPS THROUGH LOS ANGELES COUNTY, INJURING 1 AND TEARING OFF ROOF

Brett Adair, FOX Weather’s field meteorologist who was chasing the storm, witnessed the twister enter Silver City.

"We had the drone up in the air and saw this massive tornado coming in, probably 5 or 6 miles away, and then just watched numerous explosions as it came across the highway here in Silver City."

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FROM FOX WEATHER

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said the state activated medical support following the outbreak and tweeted the following statement:

"Many in the MS Delta need your prayer and God’s protection tonight. We have activated medical support—surging more ambulances and other emergency assets for those affected. Search and rescue is active. Watch weather reports and stay cautious through the night, Mississippi!"

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

As of 3:20 a.m., over 20,000 people were without power across Mississippi, according to PowerOutage.us.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.