Qabalan Discusses with Abbas Case of Aazaz Pilgrims, Calls for Neutralizing Public Utilities

The deputy head of the Higher Shiite Islamic Council, Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan, praised on Tuesday efforts exerted by General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim to release the remaining nine abducted pilgrims in Syria's Aazaz, urging their relatives to neutralize the public utilities.

Qabalan expressed hope that the case would see a happy ending soon after talks with Ibrahim.

He called on the Lebanese to express solidarity with the families of the abducted men, considering it as a “humanitarian and national” case.

Abbas briefed Qabalan on the latest developments regarding the matter in presence of Sheikh Abbas Zogheib, who has been tasked by the Higher Islamic Shiite Council to follow up the case of the abducted pilgrims.

Qabalan called on the families of the abducted men to neutralize all public utilities, urging them not to paralyze it.

“Our country is passing through difficult conditions that require us all to unite, cooperate and negotiate with all the community's components,” Qabalan added.

Eleven 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 remain in Aazaz.

Their relatives have held Turkey responsible for their ongoing abduction.

They have repeatedly vowed to take action against Turkish interests in Lebanon and to block the airport road in order to pressure Ankara to release the captives.