The four New York Times journalists who were held in Libya have told part of their story now. It’s a harrowing account of the six days they were held, threatened and assaulted.

“I heard in Arabic, ‘Shoot them,’ ” Mr. Shadid said. “And we all thought it was over.”

Then another soldier spoke up. “One of the others said: ‘No, they’re American. We can’t shoot them,’ ” Mr. Hicks said.