Report: Fate of Seven Lebanese Missing in Syria May Be Resolved Soon

The Lebanese government and the Qatari capital Doha are exerting efforts with some factions of the armed Syrian opposition to release some Lebanese who have gone missing in the neighboring country, reported As Safir newspaper on Saturday.

A widely-informed security source told the daily that the contacts will likely result in the release of around seven Lebanese held in Syria after it emerged that they may still be alive.

The details of how they went missing were not revealed.

In a related matter, As Safir said that efforts to release the two kidnapped bishops in Syria have not stopped.

The source explained that a breakthrough in the issue has been hard to reach because whenever it seems like they may be released by their captives, the bishops are handed over to a new armed Syrian group, consequently eliminating all efforts that have been made.

The issue is revolving in a “vicious cycle,” added the security source.

The two bishops, Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yaziji, were kidnapped on April 23, 2013, reportedly near the rebel-held town of Kafr Dael, near Aleppo in northern Syria.

They were in Syria on humanitarian work.