Kidnapped Pilgrims: We are Guests of Syrian Rebels, We Support Syrian People
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Al-Jazeera television broadcast on Saturday a video of the 11 Lebanese pilgrims who were kidnapped in Syria on May 22.
They announced: “We are the guests of the Syrian rebels and we support the Syrian people.”
The video, recorded on June 5 or 6, showed the 11 pilgrims seated in a room as each of them identified themselves to the camera.
One of the abductees, Abbas Shoaib condemned the recent Houla massacre in Syria that was committed at the hands of “oppressors”, voicing his support to the Syrian people.
He reassured that the pilgrims were all doing well, stressing that they were not at all pressured at gunpoint to make their remarks.
Addressing the Lebanese people, he stated: “Rise against oppression as the Syrian people did.”
At the end of the video, the abductors denied in a statement all remarks that had been made by alleged spokespeople for the group, except for the call on Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah to apologize for his remarks on the kidnapping.
The kidnappers said that the “guests will be released after being handed over to the civil Syrian state, which will in turn examine their case at the new democratic parliament.”
The pilgrims were kidnapped in the Syrian city of Aleppo on May 22 as they were making their way back to Lebanon by land from a pilgrimage to Iran.
Their location remains unknown amid conflicting reports that they had entered Turkish territory.
No side has so far claimed responsibility for their abduction, but various sides had been accused of being behind the incident, including the Free Syrian Army, which has denied any involvement in the case.
09 June 2012, 12:10
84
If they were forced to pretend to be willingly there, it means that they have been faced with death. They might near their grave, after this video. Amazing how the international media give a free-ride to these crimes. It is sad to say, but if these were CHRISTIANS kidnapped while going to Mar Moussa or other pilgrinage sites, the world would hav reacted much more. Poor Shia.
09 June 2012, 16:25
21
Middle Eastern Christians in Palestine, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon suffered the most persecution from extremist Muslims (like you apparently) and Extremist Zionists (like your friends in Israel) and the world cared less. Put your brains in very hot water with some bleach and start all over again. Fanatics from all religions need each other to justify their existence.
09 June 2012, 13:14
39
It's normal to find excuses to take an ekxtra vacation away from the wives with the boys. Now clear the airport road.
09 June 2012, 14:17
54
This is a crime against Lebanese citizens. Shame on both of you.
09 June 2012, 14:18
22
man, these bums are HA operatives who got caught
who the hell drives thru a war torn country to get to their "pilgrimage" aka training facility, pilgrims my ass
09 June 2012, 15:08
44
bernard hows ur buddy ASSad doing.....Long Live The Syrian Civil War.
09 June 2012, 16:28
33
As Bashar gets weaker and weaker he seems to have less and less friends. By the time he falls, all his friends will deny him totally and start kissing the feet of the new ones in power..... no dignity.
09 June 2012, 15:23
33
these guys are lebanese citizens, and what is happening to them is unacceptable.
however I can understand the frustration of some when m8 guys shout foul for them only, while the syrian regime is nearly on a daily basis committing crimes towards lebanese citizens on lebanese soil.
should m8 guys not be so hypocryts, and denounce the actions of the syrian regime, definately they would earn some kind of respect.
in all cases, these poor guys do not seem to be coming home anytime soon, at least not before nasrallah would apologize.
09 June 2012, 16:50
21
Would someone please tell the FSA that we're in no hurry, matter of fact plenty more where those came from, and tell that rat while you're at it that once the FSA are done getting their house in order, they're gonna be taking out the trash out of ours, Live Free or Die.
09 June 2012, 17:23
23
Pssst, will someone please tell the FSA that we're in no hurry, matter of fact please tell them that that we plenty more where those 11 came from and tell them we'll be waiting and pulling for them to get their house in order and to please come clean out the trash out of ours as soon as they're done.Live Free or die.
09 June 2012, 17:27
22
Pssst, will someone please tell the FSA that we're in no hurry, matter of fact please tell them that there is plenty more where those 11 came from and tell them we'll be waiting and pulling for them to get their house in order and to please come clean out the trash out of ours as soon as they're done.Live Free or die.
09 June 2012, 18:10
02
Although I support the Syrian Revolution I do not see how these 11 hostages do remain abducted if they have nothing to do with the events?
09 June 2012, 20:40
12
fadi albeiruti, you comments were SLIGHTLY sectarian, but recognizing it and apologising was a good thing. Patriotism means taking care of all the Lebanese, especially the innocent. As per the Lebanese arrested by the Syrian Army, the Lebanese Government asked and obtained the release of two of them. There are maybe other cases, but it is disputable if the arrest occurred in lebanon or in Syria (border is not demarcated) and ofetn these Lebanese were committing crimes (smuggling weapons). The incrimination of the Syrian Army for the killing of the journalist is a healthy sign. Let's keep Lebanon away from Syrian trouble, and let's protect our citizens.
09 June 2012, 21:26
03
The circumstances of the kidnappings/killings are not what's at question here spartacus even though I find it kinda twisted that all northern Lebanese killed or kidnapped are either smugglers smuggling weapons or terrosist, anyway what I was getting at is that most people on this board are not fair and or balanced, either we condemn all harm done to our citizens regardless of affiliation or we are gonna have stupid responses like the one I previously posted, let's just be fair and take care of each other, so stupid post like mine doesn't become the norm.
09 June 2012, 20:43
00
Listen to what was said....or I should say were told to say....rise up in Lebanon??? There was a legitimate opposition in Syria but it was hijacked....now it is anarchy.....when you kidnap people especially foreigners you become mercenaries .. And mercenaries want to get paid....
09 June 2012, 22:24
00
We should send a helicopter to rescue these guys from the FSA, and a special forces unit, that'll 'save every lebanese life'.
10 June 2012, 12:41
00
If these guys are indeed Hizbollah operatives helping the 'shabiha' , they should be hanged as expedioutly as Iran sorts out those accused with collaboration with Israel: 2 weeks maximum. No need for an STL-like process, to painstakingly prove what is obvious!
