Turkey continues efforts to release Lebanese citizens kidnapped in Syria

Turkey’s Ambassador to Lebanon Inan Auzildise said his country is making efforts to secure the release of the Lebanese detainees held in Syria for more than five months and will continue to do whatever is necessary in order to ensure their safe return to their homeland. In a statement to reporters after a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati today the Turkish Ambassador said “unfortunately I do not have complete information on this issue, but we have not stopped working on this case.” Syria has released two detainees from among a group of eleven people kidnapped by a Syrian armed group near the Turkish border last May. For his part, Mikati expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s efforts aimed to release the Lebanese hostages in Syria. He also expressed Lebanon’s appreciation for Turkey’s active participation in United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) which contributes to maintaining stability and security in southern Lebanon. Turkish ambassador to Lebanon met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday at the Grand Serail whereby he briefed the former on the latest updates regarding the case of the remaining Lebanese detainees in Syria.