Advisor to Turkish President: No Definite Information Pilgrims Arrived in Turkey
Advisor to the Turkish president, Irshad Hormuzlu, denied on Saturday reports that Turkey had informed Lebanese authorities that the 11 Lebanese pilgrims abducted in Syria have entered Turkey, reported Voice of Lebanon radio.
He told VDL: “There is no definite information that they have entered Turkey.”
He added that there is not definite information about their exact whereabouts in Syria, revealing that several contacts are being held to settle this issue.
Hormuzlu expected that the issue will be resolved soon, saying that several efforts are being exerted to this end.
Asked about Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s visit to Turkey later on Saturday, he replied that the talks are not dedicated to discussing the case of the pilgrims.
The prime minister is scheduled to meet with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyib Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
The Turkish official contacted Miqati on Friday to confirm that the pilgrims are doing well.
MTV reported on Saturday that disputes over a possible ransom may be delaying their release.
The 11 pilgrims were kidnapped in Aleppo on Tuesday.
The Free Syrian Army has been accused of being behind the abduction, a claim it has denied.
On Thursday, the rebel army said it was making "every effort" to locate and release the pilgrims.
Conflicting reports had emerged on Friday about the exact timing of their arrival in Beirut and about whether or not they were handed over to Turkish authorities.
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