Hariri Urges Release of Lebanese Nabbed in Syria, Voices Solidarity with Families

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.

“We express our full solidarity with the families of the kidnapped, whom we consider as members of our family. The kidnappers should know that the Lebanese people are united in this issue and we deal with it as a Lebanese national cause that doesn’t afford any interpretation or bargaining,” he added.

In this regard, Hariri telephoned Speaker Nabih Berri to discuss the abduction.

“During the call, Hariri reiterated his strong condemnation of the abduction, regardless of the party behind it, and expressed his full solidarity with their families, stressing the necessity of exerting all efforts and working together to free them and make sure they return safely to their families and country,” said Hariri’s office.

The rebel Free Syrian Army on Tuesday abducted 16 Lebanese men in Aleppo who were on their way back from a pilgrimage trip to Iran.

“Buses belonging to the Badr al-Kobra and Jannat al-Redwan pilgrimage campaigns were ambushed in Aleppo shortly after crossing the Syrian-Turkish border,” al-Jadeed television reported.

A woman who was in the convoy told al-Jadeed: “After we crossed the Turkish-Syrian border, we were ambushed by gunmen from the Free Syrian Army in the Azzaz area. They forced the men to dismount the buses and took them to an unknown destination and left us there.”

The brother of one of those kidnapped said the Free Syrian Army had vowed to release the men in exchange for FSA members detained by Syrian authorities.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s office said he was making the necessary contacts to ensure the release of the Lebanese abducted.

"Prime Minister Miqati has urged families of the kidnapped to remain calm and assured them he was following the issue closely to ensure the safety of those kidnapped and their quick release," a statement said.

One man who refused to give his name said his two bothers-in-law were among those abducted.

"They were heading back to Beirut on board a bus after visiting religious sites in Iran," said the man. "The women who were with them were allowed to go free."

The brother of Abbas Shaayb, who organized the pilgrimage, said the women were staying in a hotel in Aleppo.

"Let's see what the friends of the Free Syrian Army in Lebanon are going to do now," said the man, referring to the Sunni-led opposition in Lebanon that has backed the 14-month uprising in neighboring Syria.

The reported kidnappings were sure to further inflame sectarian tensions in Lebanon over the Syrian crisis.

Clashes between the pro- and anti-Assad camps in the country have left some 12 people dead in the past 10 days.

Meanwhile, Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said it was necessary for all Lebanese to remain calm.

"The atmosphere is tense because of the events of recent days," he said. "Everyone is urged not to make matters worse."

Nasrallah spoke after families of those abducted, along with thousands of supporters, turned out in Beirut's mainly Shiite southern suburbs and blocked roads to demand the release of the men.

Nasrallah said contacts were underway with Syrian authorities and “influential countries in the region” to ensure the safe release of the men.

"We will work day and night until those beloved are back with us and hopefully ... by cooperating together we will reach a happy ending," he said.

He added that Hizbullah was also in contact with Prime Minister Najib Miqati.