Miqati Discusses with Davutoglo Case of 11 Kidnapped Pilgrims

Prime Minister Najib Miqati discussed with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu the latest developments regarding the 11 kidnapped Lebanese pilgrims in Syria.

Miqati contacted Davutoglo after media reports said that several of the 11 men have escaped after the area where they were held came under severe shelling.

The 11 pilgrims were kidnapped by a group of armed men in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo on May 22 while returning home from Iran.

The premier expressed relief over the ongoing course of treatment for the current problems, noting that the cabinet is focusing on “wrapping up the new wages scale in parallel with finding the adequate resources, and the administrative issues such as the diplomatic appointments.”

Information Minister Walid al-Daouq quoted the premier as saying: “The cabinet is cooperating among each other to resolve the current crises and to provide continues support for the army and the ISF to attain their duties.”

Miqati said that differences in opinion between the government members are “normal,” pointing out that it will not “affect the performance of the cabinet, despite all the campaigns launched against it.”

Concerning the deportation of the 14 Syrians, he noted that his stance is based on the importance of “implementing the law in accordance with respect to human rights and ensuring the safety of the deported people, consequently, not to extradite any person due to his political affiliation.”

On Wednesday, the General Security deported 14 Syrians and said the reasons for the expulsions were not political but a Human Rights Watch representative in Beirut said some of the deportees had expressed fears of persecution on their return.

Miqati said that his government is keen to “respect the Human Rights and to provide the Syrian refugees in Lebanon with all the necessary aid.”