Lebanon urges Turkey to help release its pilgrims kidnapped in Syria

BEIRUT Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese official in charge of rescuing the Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria on Tuesday said Turkey should make serious efforts to help release the 11 Shiites or its citizens "would become guests in Lebanon."

Sheikh Abbas Zgheib, tasked by the Higher Islamic Shiite Council, told several TV channels that "the families (of the kidnapped pilgrims) will do what is necessary if the issue isn't resolved soon, the Turks will be our guests."

He said that Turkey and Qatar should press the kidnappers to " end the tragedy."

Lebanese protesters are expected to head to the Qatari embassy in Beirut later Tuesday while the anti-riot police are being deployed in the area.

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation reported Tuesday that a delegation comprising two family members and a news team is heading to Turkey and then will cross into Syria to meet the pilgrims as promised by the kidnappers. The pilgrims were kidnapped in May by some armed men in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo, via which they are returning home from a pilgrimage to Iran. Enditem

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