Sheikh Qabalan calls on Lebanese people to unite and express solidarity

Deputy Head of the Shiite High Council of Lebanon, Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan stressed on Tuesday that the case of the Lebanese hostages in Aazaz is a humanitarian and national case that makes it imperative for the Lebanese to unite in a national movement whereby they express their solidarity with one another. 

Following his meeting with the Director General of General Security Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, Sheikh Qabalan hoped that the hostages case will witness positive progress, praising the efforts deployed by Ibrahim in following up on this issue. He also called on all the state’s apparatuses to immediately act in order to release the abductees.                

In this regard, Qabalan stressed the need to protect all public facilities and keep them away from any movement that can hinder the daily work of the Lebanese citizens especially that the country is going through a critical stage that requires concerted efforts and national unity.

Eleven Lebanese pilgrims were kidnapped on their way back from Iran by insurgents hoping to use them for a prisoner swap on the 22nd of May.

Only two have so far been released. Their families have vowed to continue their movements until all their loved ones have returned home "safe and sound".

They accuse Ankara of sponsoring the kidnapping and the Lebanese government of inaptness in this regard.