Abu Ibrahim lays out demands to release Lebanese pilgrims in Aazaz

On December 15, 2012, the New York Times published an investigative interview prepared by its correspondent from Bab al-Salam with two of the Lebanese hostages who were taken captive in Syria in May: Ali Termos and Ali Abbas.      

In the interview, Abbas and Termos conveyed the requests of the abductors and denied the abductees’ affiliation to Hezbollah.   

The interview was held in the presence of Syrian rebel commander Abu Ibrahim who stressed that the Lebanese have secretly entered Syria, knowing that they entered through Turkish and Syrian official crossings and were abducted a few kilometers away.     

The abductees and Abu Ibrahim reiterated their demand in order to release the Lebanese abductees which is the release of two prominent opposition figures: defected Syrian Colonnel Hussein Harmoush and Syrian activist Tall El Moulouhi who are in Lebanese government custody.   

Termos and Abbas praised Abu Ibrahim and described their living conditions as excellent; “we have ample food, medicine, heat, and access to a television,” Abbas    said.       

The 11 pilgrims were kidnapped in May as they crossed to Syria following their return from a pilgrimage in Iran. Two of them were released in August and September but nine still remain in custody.