Mufti Urges Release of Turkish Pilots, Says Abduction Harms Ties with other Countries
Grand Mufti Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Qabbani called for the release of all abductees inside Lebanon including the Turkish pilots, warning of the negative impacts on the country.
“All abductees, including the Turkish pilot and co-pilot, the Lebanese kidnapped in Syria's Aazaz and those kidnapped tit-for-tat should be released,” Qabbani said in a statement issued on Monday.
He pointed out that the abduction of people, whoever is responsible for it, is a condemned endeavor.
The two pilots were kidnapped on Friday by a group demanding Turkey use its influence with Syria's rebels, who it backs, to secure the release of nine Lebanese pilgrims in Syria in May 2012.
“The abduction of foreigners isn't only a Lebanese affair and affects the bilateral ties with other countries,” Qabbani noted.
After the kidnapping on Friday, Turkey's foreign ministry urged citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon and to leave the country if they were already there.
He urged the state to exert all efforts and swiftly negotiate with the kidnappers to release all the abducted people, including the Turkish pilots.
“Lebanon shouldn't get involved in serious and inhuman conflicts,” he added.
A previously unknown group calling itself Zuwwar Imam al-Rida claimed the kidnapping of the two pilots.
Eleven pilgrims were kidnapped in Syria's Aleppo region in May 2012 as they were making their way back to Lebanon by land from pilgrimage in Iran.
Two of them have since been released, while the rest remain in Aazaz.
Their accuse Turkey of not doing enough to win the release of their relatives.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/93965 |