Mufti Urges Release of Turkish Pilots, Says Abduction Harms Ties with other Countries
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
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.
12 August 2013, 15:02
34
Oufti, le moufti.... Someone must have coerced him to come out with such words of wisdom by calling for the release of the two innocent türkish pilots...
What did Hassan say about them from his underground bunker? (like we care anyway...)
12 August 2013, 16:25
13
Elle est bonne hein dis? Il sont drôles les belges.... Aussi drôles et égarés que bon nombre de libanais en pleine crise identitaire.
12 August 2013, 21:55
12
Oh, no beef at all with them, they've got excellent lagers and refined chocolate. Anything else in that little country? They're like, they live together but can't stand each other..... Not an example to follow!
12 August 2013, 22:46
01
@ben, have you been there? I go every other year, my brother and my uncle are married to Belgian Women, so I have Belgian nieces, nephew and cousins. They're very hospitable people and I like their company, their Chimay and Cote D'Or. I think you are judging harshly.
12 August 2013, 23:03
01
Oh, I meant no disrespect to Belgians. I actually have been to brussel with my school. I hated it... It was packed with Moroccans like Paris with its Algerians.... And the streets were extremely dirty.... Antwerp was much nicer.
Are your relatives Walloons or Flemish ?
12 August 2013, 18:59
02
Even if "thelebpatriot" is only writing her beliefs on a website. Surely putting in writing that she supports hostage taking, must break some laws of Lebanon.
12 August 2013, 21:04
11
Assad has the power to release as well by releasing women prisoners (yes women like your avatar). I say kidnap Alawites until he frees his prisoners to free the Pilgrims (I get a chuckle every time I think of HA intelligence being marketed as pilgrims).
