Lebanon working to release Syrian hostages

Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel has expressed hopes that Prime Minister Najib Mikati's recent visit to Turkey will aid the release of nine Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Aazaz in Syria. Charbel said: “Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has engaged in ongoing communications to facilitate their release.” Other countries, including Qatar, are working to free the hostages, the Minister revealed. “I will not delve into the details, but matters are taking the right course,” Charbel claimed. Referring to a recent summit in Kuwait which aimed to support Syrian refugees across the Middle East, the Interior Minister said: “Lebanon is optimistic about the conference to help meet the demands of displaced Syrians.” Charbel meanwhile warned about security risks for continuing displacement. “This issue requires permanent surveillance by the Lebanese authorities to keep things stable.”