Lebanese pilgrims
abducted on Tuesday by the Free Syrian Army were released Friday afternoon.
Popular celebrations prevailed in Beirut southern suburbs (Dahiyeh) amid fireworks
and triumph gunshots.
According to
information made available to LBCI, Saad Hariri's private jet will fly in the
released detainees from Adana airport in Turkey into Lebanon. Sources close to
Hariri later denied, through LBCI, that Hariri will be aboard the plane with
them.
The released
Lebanese men left Turkish territories and they are on their way to Lebanon.
Before their departure, the Turkish police took note of their testimonies and they
underwent medical tests.
In those
regards Premiere Najib Mikati received a phone call from Turkish Foreign
Minister Mohammad Davutoglu confirming that the released Lebanese are safe and
sound.
House
Speaker Nabih Berri also received a phone call from former PM Saad Hariri who
reassured him that the released Lebanese are in good health.
Upon the news of the release, Minister of Public Works Ghazi
Aridi said that this occasion opened
communication channels that must remain open if we wanted to save the country.
MP Ammar Houry praised Hariri saying that the latter never
hesitates to act for the sake of Lebanon. He hoped that this release will be a good
start for happy endings in Lebanon.
For his part, Amal MP Yassin Jaber also praised
Hariri's move saying that it shows that nothing divides the Lebanese; he added
that people must unify their ranks and that dialogue is the only key towards
stability.
As for Loyalty to the Resistance MP Ali Ammar, he said that
Hezbollah is open to deal with all parties.
Crowds began flocking to
Rafic Hariri International Airport to greet the 11 released Lebanese hostages.
According to information
made available to LBCI, upon their arrival, the released Lebanese men will go
to Ain el Tineh then to Dahiyeh to join in the ceremony.