Report: Aazaz Pilgrims Moved to Safe Location at Syrian-Turkish Border ahead of Their Release
The nine Lebanese pilgrims that were being held in Syria's Aazaz region will likely be released within the upcoming hours, reported al-Akhbar newspaper on Tuesday.
It revealed that they were moved to safe location at the Syrian-Turkish border, which lies under Turkey's security, ahead of their imminent release.
Moreover, it cited General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim's trip to Qatar on Monday as a promising sign that a breakthrough will be achieved in this case.
As Safir newspaper reported on Tuesday that Ibrahim had held talks before traveling to Qatar with the Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon Inan Ozyildiz and representatives of the relatives of the pilgrims.
Upon his return to Lebanon, he held talks with President Michel Suleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, and caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel to inform them about his talks in the Gulf state, said al-Akhbar.
A source close to the president told the daily that the finishing touches are being placed over a deal to ensure the release of the pilgrims.
The remaining point of contention lies in whether the nine pilgrims should be released at one go or at different intervals.
Spokeswoman of the families of the pilgrims Hayat Awali confirmed to Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) 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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