Charbel Pledges Positive News on Turkish Pilots in Upcoming Days: They are Doing Well

Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel stressed on Sunday that investigations are “on track” to determine the fate of the abducted Turkish pilots and ensure their release, reported Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3).

He told the radio: “The pilots are doing well and we hope to have positive news in the case in upcoming days.”

“We are employing all possible means to find them,” he added.

“The most important thing is that we find their location, make sure they are safe, and ensure their release,” stated the minister.

Furthermore, he urged the media to refrain from analyses that may harm the investigations.

“All sides are being cooperative in investigating the abduction of the pilots,” he said in response to whether Hizbullah was contributing to these efforts.

A Turkish pilot and co-pilot kidnapped by gunmen on Friday.

Six gunmen intercepted a van carrying the Turkish Airlines employees from Rafik Hariri International Airport to a hotel in the Ain Mreisseh seafront at dawn Friday, kidnapping the two pilots - Murat Akpinar and Murat Agca - but leaving the four other crew members behind.

The attack prompted Turkey to issue a travel warning urging its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Lebanon and those already present in the country to leave.