Sources: Ibrahim 'Relieved' after 'Promising' Talks with Qatar Emir on Kidnapped Bishops
General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim has expressed relief after promises made by Qatar that it would resolve the case of two bishops held hostage by rebels in Syria since April.
Ibrahim, who returned to Beirut on Friday following talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ben Hamad Al Thani, was relieved over the results of the efforts exerted by Doha to locate the bishops, informed sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper.
They said Qatar has made major progress in finding the party that is holding Bishops Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi, who were kidnapped in the northern province of Aleppo at the end of April while on humanitarian work.
An Nahar daily also said that the meeting between Sheikh Tamim and Ibrahim was “fruitful and promising.”
The state-run National News Agency said Friday that the Emir asked the security agencies in Qatar and Lebanon to coordinate to be able to resolve the case through exchanging information.
Ibrahim's visit to Doha came after Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi made a similar trip and met with the Emir along with other top Qatari officials.
The General Security chief had promised to seek for the freedom of the bishops after he played an important role in a three-way deal that saw the release of nine Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria and two Turkish pilots abducted in Beirut.
The latest in the prisoner exchange was implemented this week when the Syrian regime released dozens of female detainee.
The hostage swap was brokered by Qatar and the Palestinian Authority.
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