Naharnet

Report: Abductors of Two Bishops Demand End of Violence to Free them

The kidnappers of the two bishops Youhanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi in Syria in April are demanding an immediate end to violence in the country to guarantee their safe release.

According to al-Liwaa newspaper published on Wednesday, the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad should commit to a long-term truce in order for the abductors to release the two bishops.

The two bishops were kidnapped by rebels in the northern province of Aleppo at the end of April while on humanitarian work.

Damascus considers the abduction of the bishops as a “national matter.”

However, General Security Chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim reportedly held talks with Assad and Qatari officials to mediate the release of the two bishops.

“Indirect negotiations with the kidnappers began,” Ibrahim said on Tuesday.

He pointed out that a month ago he contacted a person who located the place of the two bishops.


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