First image of Adam Whittington since being released from jail in Beirut. Picture: Supplied

Following days of judicial wrangling after Adam Whittington was freed on bail last week, Judge Youssif el Hakeem lifted a travel-ban order that had been applied for by Ali Elamine.

Mr Ali Elamine was not happy with orders allowing Mr Whittington and three accomplices to go free on bail after they — having been paid by 60 Minutes — staged a Beirut street-side abduction of his two young children in early April.

Mr Elamine, who was estranged from Brisbane woman Sally Faulkner, came to Australia in early 2015 and received permission from her to take the children to Beirut on a vacation but failed to return them.

Adam Whittington leaving Beirut last night.Source:News Corp Australia

Mr Whittington sent a voice-file message via his lawyer, Joe Karam, as he boarded a plane, thanking all involved in his release.

“I’m shocked, really,” he said. “We’ve come across so many hurdles to get out of here.” He also thanked the judiciary.

“I really can’t believe it. It’s been a tough four months. Finally, finally, the truth is coming out very soon, don’t worry about that.”

Mr Whittington, who describes himself as a child-recovery expert, was arrested along with his three employees, Ms Faulkner and the four-person 60 Minutes crew.

Channel Nine paid the Elamine family $500,000 to drop charges against Ms Faulkner and the 60 Minutes team.

Ali Elamine in Lebanon. Picture: Liam Kidston.Source:News Corp Australia

Joe Karam, a lawyer for Adam Whittington. Picture: APSource:AP

Judge el Hakeem appeared appalled at this huge ransom.

He took the view — over the objections of Mr Elamine’s lawyer, Hussein Berjawi — that the payment covered the release of everyone detained in the fiasco, not just Ms Faulkner and 60 Minutes employees.

After the ruling, Australian consular officials accompanied Mr Whittington’s lawyer, Joe Karam, to sign off on Mr Whittington’s departure, meaning he was free to fly to his wife and two sons in Sweden.

Sally Faulkner with her two kids Lahela and Noah. Picture: InstagramSource:No Source

Mr Whittington was not in court, and neither was Mr Elamine. But his lawyer, Mr Berjawi, appeared angered by the judge’s decision to let the dual Australian-British national leave.

Mr Karam has raised unsubstantiated allegations via the media that after receiving half a million dollars from Channel Nine, Mr Elamine pressured Mr Whittington’s family to come up with hundreds of thousands more in return for dropping the charges against Mr Whittington.

Mr Elamine denied it when asked by News Corp.

Mr Whittington still faces kidnapping charges should he return to Lebanon. As a result of the 60 Minutes operation, Ms Faulkner has lost all rights to her children.