Zgheib Shies Away from Divulging Info on Possible Release of Pilgrims

Sheikh Abbas Zgheib, who has been tasked by the Higher Islamic Shiite Council to follow up the case of the Lebanese pilgrims held hostage in Syria since May 2012, shied away from giving any information about their possible release.

In remarks to pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat published on Tuesday, Zgheib said: “We don't want to exaggerate about obstacles delaying their release or even signs that they could be set free soon.”

“The relatives haven't been yet informed about any date to release the nine Lebanese but there is a positive atmosphere unlike the past stage,” he said.

Eleven pilgrims were kidnapped in May last year in northern Syria's Aleppo province as they returned by land from a pilgrimage in Iran. Two of them were later released.

On Monday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu telephoned Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss recent developments in the case of the pilgrims as well as that of two Orthodox bishops - Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazij - who were kidnapped in Syria at the end of April.

Davutoglu spoke with Berri about "the results of the ongoing communications and efforts aimed at securing their release,” the state-run National News Agency reported.