Optimism over Release of Aazaz Pilgrims as Families Prepare to Welcome Them
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.
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