Report: Turkey Contacted Iranian Authorities to Help it Resolve Turkish Pilots' Abduction
The kidnapping of two Turkish pilots in Lebanon has raised fears that international airlines may boycott the Rafik Hariri International Airport in a show of solidarity, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Monday.
Information obtained by the daily said that the Turkey contacted some of the highest authorities in Iran in order to mediate with Lebanese officials that it suspects may be linked to the abduction.
Informed political sources meanwhile told the daily that the kidnapping's real motive is not linked to the case of Lebanese pilgrims held in Syria's Aazaz region, but the regional Syrian-Turkish and Iranian-Saudi conflicts over Lebanon and Syria that are also delaying the formation of a new Lebanese government.
In a related note, al-Joumhouria said that the International Air Transport Association (IATA), association of international pilots, and union of Middle East Airlines pilots will soon take a position over the abduction of the Turkish pilots.
It explained that MEA pilots constantly travel to Turkey and they fear that any harm of Turkish interests may affect its activity.
Fears have also grown over an international boycott of Beirut's airport because Turkey is a member-state of NATO.
Meanwhile, caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel told As Safir newspaper Monday that the investigation in the abduction is achieving progress “even if it was taking place at a slow pace.”
Negotiations with Turkey will lead to the release of the Aazaz pilgrims, he stressed.
General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim told al-Joumhouria that he had repeatedly told Turkish authorities that it has become necessary to break the “empty cycle” in the negotiations to release the Aazaz pilgrims.
He had warned that the frustration felt by their relatives had reached an unbearable level, adding that the abduction of the Turkish pilots was one of the expected results of their sentiments.
A Turkish pilot and co-pilot were kidnapped by gunmen on Friday.
Six gunmen intercepted a van carrying the Turkish Airlines employees from Rafik Hariri International Airport to a hotel in the Ain Mreisseh seafront at dawn Friday, kidnapping the two pilots - Murat Akpinar and Murat Agca - but leaving the four other crew members behind.
The attack prompted Turkey to issue a travel warning urging its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Lebanon and those already present in the country to leave.
Eleven pilgrims were kidnapped in Syria's Aleppo region in May 2012 as they were making their way back to Lebanon by land from pilgrimage in Iran.
Two of them have since been released, while the rest remain in Aazaz.
Their relatives have held Turkey responsible for their ongoing abduction.
They have repeatedly vowed to take action against Turkish interests in Lebanon in order to pressure Ankara to release the captives.
over 10 years
Knowing that turkey has a hand in the abduction of lebanese citizens (which are being held in turkey according to many reports), the chief of general security has first and foremost a responsibility towards those lebanese citizens. he should work to find and release the abducted turks (two wrongs dont make one right) but reminding turkey that they should do the same for the abducted lebanese doesnt sound like a bad idea.
over 10 years
Really turkey kidnapped Lebanese citizens. And who told you so?
over 10 years
the "northern storm brigade" which kidnapped them operates around the turkish border, they have headquarters in turkey and their weapons as well as fighters transit from there. turkey could have the pilgrims released by snapping their fingers, the group is too dependent on it to say no. but turkey never gave a damn
over 10 years
The Turks know it is better to reach out to Hizbullah's Iranian masters to get this resolved.
over 10 years
This reminds us the French abducted by Hizbullah due to the conflict with the French over Caradach nuclear power plant. And Mr Aoun tells us that hizbullah are the cleanest of militias.
over 10 years
Pure filths and their militia are damaging Lebanon because of rumors. All civilized Lebanese must stand up against the enemy within.
over 10 years
Turkey Contacted Iranian Authorities to Help it Resolve Turkish Pilots' Abduction .............
Any doubt in M8 minds who HA's reference is? Traitors.
General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim told al-Joumhouria that he had repeatedly told Turkish authorities that it has become necessary to break the “empty cycle” in the negotiations to release the Aazaz pilgrims.
He had warned that the frustration felt by their relatives had reached an unbearable level, adding that the abduction of the Turkish pilots was one of the expected results of their sentiments.
Now that is what I call a real statesman offering valid justifications for the abductions. Tfehhhh