Lebanon Waits…Contradictions Govern Release of Kidnapped Lebanese

Mystery Surrounds Fate of Lebanese Abductees

Local Editor

Mystery surrounds the fate of the eleven visitors who were abducted in northern Syria as they made their way home from their visit to holy places in Iran.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati postponed his trip to Turkey at the time Turkish Foreign ministry assured that the kidnapped Lebanese did not enter Turkish territory, but stressed that they were in good health.

In a statement issued Saturday, Miqati pointed out that “all information confirms the continuation of contacts and efforts to secure the release of the Lebanese after making sure of their safety,” indicating that “the he postponed his visit after making consultations with the Lebanese President Michel Suleiman and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and a number of Turkish officials.”

On Saturday night, the commander of the so-called "free Syrian army" Riad al-Assad told Al-Jadeed channel that the abductees are in good health and safe within Syrian territories, claiming that “the operations by the Syrian regime in Aleppo delayed the process of getting them out to Turkey.” He added that “very soon, God willing, they will be handed over to Turkish authorities.”

However, SANA news agency said Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist groups committed two horrible massacres against a number of families in the towns of al-Shumariyeh and Taldo in the countryside of Homs province. It also said that a number of members of an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group were killed in a blast of an explosive device which they were making in a place in Tal Raf'at town in the countryside of Aleppo.

Lebanon Waits…Contradictions Govern Release of Kidnapped Lebanese

Local Editor
They are free...The news covered the scene: Celebrating people flooded into streets. Media reports broadcasted live from the airport. Lebanese state officials entered the VIP lounge to welcome the released hostages.

However, hours of wait extended. The endless night ended and no airplane appeared in the Lebanese sky.

Families went back home as time turned tears of joy to tears of worry while the Lebanese state was absent from hearing or relieving the longing hearts.

The Friday's expected jubilation after the announcement of the release of 11 kidnapped Lebanese citizens by Syrian rebels turned into anxious waiting as conflicting reports emerged about the fate of the hostages.

As the Lebanese officials unveiled that the hostages have reached the Turkish territories, rumors emerged that the freed Lebanese were still in Syria.

However, Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel announced that the abductees "have just arrived in Turkey and that they were not expected to arrive in Beirut before Saturday."
"The delay is related to routine logistic reasons," he confirmed and pointed out that "the 11 Lebanese are in good health."

Similarly, Hizbullah and AMAL Movement issued a joint statement assuring people that "the hostages are in good health and they will be soon back to their country."

Meanwhile, the families reiterated their complete trust in the Secretary General of Hizbullah His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and House Speaker Nabih Berri's pledge to spare no effort to free the kidnapped pilgrims.

However, they issued a statement Saturday, in which they condemned the unjustified delay, holding the Turkish government responsible for it.

"The Turkish authorities are responsible for maintaining the pilgrims' safety and ensuring their safe return to Lebanon as soon as possible," the statement read.

In this context, Ali Saleh, brother of the kidnapped Lebanese Jamil Saleh, expressed frustration of the recent developments.

"All information we get are from the media. No officials are contacting us," Saleh stressed to moqawama.org.

The man who fears the fate of his 62-year-old ill brother, urged the Lebanese government to finalize this issue.

"Why doesn't the foreign ministry contact us or why doesn't the minister travel to Turkey to determine whether our relatives are free or not?" he wondered.

It is worth mentioning that media reports mentioned in the last hours that Prime Minister Najib Mikati is expected to travel to Turkey Saturday afternoon to hold talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyib Erdogan on this case.

Nothing new, but hopes remain that eager Lebanon restores its smile with the return of its civilians.

Source: moqawama.org
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