Hostages relatives grant state 48 hours prior to utter escalation -...

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Relatives of Lebanese detainees in Syria staged a gathering in Baabda on Tuesday close to Sayyad Roundabout.

These protests are being held in "hopes of reaching officials inside," the relatives said through LBCI. The relatives called for the aid of the Lebanese government and Arab nations alike to intervene in hopes of finding a solution for this matter.

"How is it possible for the government to remain stagnant on such an issue? We are Lebanese and they must hear our pleas," Siham Ibrahim, one of the abductees' relatives was quoted as saying.

The relatives then met with the Republican Guard commander Brigadier General Wadih Ghafari, who listened to their demands and promised them that their voice would reach the President and Ministers of Cabinet, urging them not to cut the road leading to the entrance of the palace.

For his part Sleiman promised the delegation, that there will be positive developments in the case of the detainees prior to Sunday.

In addition, Sheikh Abbas Zgheib and two people representing the delegation headed off to the Baabda Palace to follow up the matter

Following the meeting, Sheikh Zgheib said: “We came to negotiate with the relatives; we will work together. We hope to draw the attention of the concerned parties, particularly the president, in order to achieve justice and secure the release of the 11 kidnapped Lebanese men who deserve each effort and movement”.

In a statement to LBCI, Sheikh Zgheib confirmed that he “received the same answers from the President, we grant the state 48 hours or will call for escalation.”

Sheikh Zgheib called on security apparatuses not to intervene with relatives of the detainees when they stage their movements.

“It is of utmost irony that Cabinet convenes without the issue of the detainees on its agenda”, Sheikh Zgheib added.

Sheikh Zgheib indicated that the cutting of roads remains within the limits of peaceful demonstration for the hostage case.

The eleven Lebanese pilgrims were kidnapped on their way back from Iran by insurgents hoping to use them for a prisoner swap on the 20th of May.

LBCI was successful in establishing live phone contact with the 11 detainees and one of the kidnappers known as "Abu Ibrahim" on Sunday, whereby they confirmed that they were in good health and that they were located in the town of Aazaz, rural Aleppo.