Jubilation turned into anxious waiting in Lebanon on Friday after top officials said eleven Lebanese Shiite pilgrims abducted in Syria have been freed and conflicting reports emerged about the exact timing of their arrival in Beirut and about whether or not they were handed over to Turkish authorities.

According to a statement issue by Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s office, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu informed the premier that the pilgrims are doing well and that they were on their way to Beirut.

Top Lebanese officials rejected conditions set by the March 14 opposition for the resumption of dialogue, saying the March 14 coalition should participate in the all-party talks without providing any excuses.

“Before calling for (the formation of) a neutral cabinet, let it first participate in the dialogue,” Speaker Nabih Berri’s visitors quoted him as saying.

The abduction of the Shiite pilgrims in Aleppo had a positive effect on the ties between Speaker Nabih Berri and ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who strongly condemned the incident.

Hariri contacted Berri on Tuesday, voicing his support to the families of the abducted men and stressing the necessity of exerting all efforts to release them.

Former prime minister Saad Hariri on Tuesday condemned the abduction of 16 Lebanese Shiite Muslim pilgrims in Syria’s Aleppo, expressing his “full solidarity with their families” and demanding their “immediate release.”

“We condemn the kidnapping of our Lebanese brothers in Syria, regardless of the party behind the kidnapping, and we call for their immediate release,” Hariri said in a statement released by his press office.

Beirut MPs commended on Monday the clashes that erupted in the city on Sunday, accusing some powers and military agencies that are affiliated with the Syrian regime of seeking to create instability in Lebanon.

They said after an extraordinary meeting at the Center House: “We demand Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s resignation because his government is facilitating the return of the civil war.”

Phalange Party chief Amin Gemayel demanded on Monday that an investigation into the death of Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed and his aide Sheikh Mohammed Merheb be launched as soon as possible “for the sake of maintaining Lebanon’s higher interest.”

He said: “Officials should set Lebanon as a priority in order to avoid instability.”

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Sunday stressed that supporting the army would serve the project of building the state and prevent civil strife, urging Akkar’s residents “to be vigilant in order not to fall into the traps set up by the Syrian regime.”

Jumblat -- who telephoned former premier Saad Hariri condemning the killing of Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed and his companion at an army checkpoint in Akkar – reminded the ex-PM of “the honorable national stances he took when the Lebanese army confronted Fatah al-Islam’s gangs in the Nahr al-Bared camp and the embracing of the military institution during that war.”

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri condemned on Sunday the murder of Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed, demanding that an “immediate investigation be launched in the matter.”

He said in a statement: “We warn the residents of Akkar against committing any retaliatory act that would create chaos in their region as it is clear that there is a plan to target the area for Syrian interests.”

Speaker Nabih Berri noted that all sides in Lebanon are aware of the dangers“being imposed on the country,” saying that all powers should work together for the sake of Lebanon, reported the daily An Nahar on Saturday.

He told the daily that former Premier Saad Hariri’s reply to his call to resume the national dialogue “is not negative.”

Prime Minister Najib Miqati welcomed on Saturday Speaker Nabih Berri’s initiative for dialogue over the recent clashes that erupted in the northern port city of Tripoli.

“Dialogue is the only way to resolve the situation in the city,” sources close to Miqati told As Safir newspaper.