Optimism over Release of Aazaz Pilgrims as Families Prepare to Welcome Them
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Lebanese authorities are optimistic that the case of the nine pilgrims, who were being held in Syria's Aazaz region, could reach an end soon amid reports that they might be released ahead of Eid al-Adha.
“We are getting close to a happy ending and we're are optimistic,” Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper on Friday.
However, Charbel rejected to set a date for their release.
According to the daily, the relatives of the abducted pilgrims began preparing to welcome the nine men.
Hayat Awali, a spokeswoman for the families, told Voice of Lebanon Radio (100.5) that there is optimism on official level.
“We are hoping that they would be released ahead of Eid al-Adha,” she added.
The remaining point of contention lies in whether the nine pilgrims should be released at one go or at different intervals.
However, Awali said on Tuesday that the pilgrims will be released at once and not at different phases.
Eleven Lebanese pilgrims were kidnapped in Syria's Aleppo region in May 2012 as they were making their way back to Lebanon by land from pilgrimage in Iran.
Two of them have since been released, while the rest are being held in the Aazaz region.
Their relatives have repeatedly held Turkey responsible for their ongoing abduction and they have held protests near Turkish establishments in Lebanon in order to pressure Ankara to exert more efforts to release their loved ones.
11 October 2013, 09:46
1411
Zalghoutaaaaaaaaa....... Lelelelelelelelelelele........ Welcome home to our beloved and sorely missed Shia pilgrims. What a lovely Adha present that would be! The civilized manner in which the Islamic Secular Shia Only Resistance and the families of the pilgrims handled the whole affair from beginning to end is an example of perseverance, high morals, and true citizenship. Special thanks go to Maj. Abbas Ibrahim of the General Security, himself a Shia, for trotting the capitals of the globe in Sinbad like fashion to secure their imminent release. For those of you who may not be aware, Gen. Abbas is also working behind the scenes to release Joseph Sader kidnapped by the resistance for security reasons and has done over 1569 trips to Syria to secure the release of the lebanese missing in Syrian Jails. God Bless him and Bless Sayyed Hassanallah.
11 October 2013, 12:11
79
you'll either ignore it while casting doubt or preaccuse of ridiculous frivolities. Your post is very much unnecessary, looking at the cup half empty as always.
11 October 2013, 16:35
52
Sorry Southern. But FC has won that argument. He is right. You are wrong.
But how do you write these 1 and 2 in circles? These could come handy!
11 October 2013, 23:26
00
all this fuss for a few pilgrims but ya reit they would have done the same thing for lebanese kidnapped by the syrian regime and rotting in their jails or who died there ....oh! wait! sure for hezbis syria never did such things.... double standards as usual....
