Syria: 9 Lebanese Shi'a released
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 19 October 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Syria: 9 Lebanese Shi'a released, 19 October 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/528b677712.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
October 19, 2013
Lebanon says nine Lebanese Shi'ite citizens kidnapped by rebels in Syria more than one year ago have been freed.
Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said the Lebanese had been taken from Syria to neighboring Turkey, and would return soon to Lebanon.
The group was abducted in May, 2012, while traveling from a pilgrimage to Shi'ite religious sites in Iran.
In a related development, officials said two Turkish Airlines pilots who were abducted in Lebanon in August are close to being freed.
The pilots were reportedly kidnapped in a bid to apply pressure for the release of the nine Lebanese in Syria.
Shi'ite-led Iran and the Shi'ite Lebanese Hizballah militia back the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the war against the rebels, who are backed by Turkey.
Based on reports from Reuters, AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
