Gemayel Meets Erdogan, Hails Army Efforts to Release Turkish Citizen

Phalange Party leader Amin Gemayel praised on Saturday the efforts exerted by the Lebanese army to safely release the Turkish citizen, who was abducted by al-Meqdad clan in August.

“We hail the efforts exerted by the army and the security forces to free the Turkish citizen,” Gemayel said after holding talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul.

Gemayel voiced his rejection to the kidnapping of people in Lebanon.

The Lebanese army has arrested several people in raids in southern Beirut suburb of al-Rowais following a string of kidnappings by member’s al-Meqdad clan.

The clan has claimed responsibility for the abduction of more than 20 Syrians and a Turkish national in Lebanon.

On the national dialogue, he urged all parties in Lebanon to safeguard the country through resuming a meaningful and balanced dialogue.

In August, a national dialogue session was held at Beiteddine palace during which the conferees agreed to “form a delegation comprising members of the dialogue committee with the aim of contacting the influential countries in a bid to secure the safe release of the Lebanese abductees” in Syria.

The session was held in the absence of Speaker Nabih Berri and Marada leader MP Suleiman Franjieh, two major figures in the March 8 coalition, following days of speculation on the stance of the March 14 opposition alliance ended with a decision to attend.

The meeting with Erdogan was held in presence of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Sejaan Azzi.

According to the National News Agency, the gatherers tackled the situation in the region and the bilateral ties between Lebanon and Turkey.