Families of Lebanese hostages in Aazaz: To refer case to the Judicial Council

Families of the Lebanese hostages in Syria's Aazaz met on Tuesday with Deputy Head of the Shiite High Council of Lebanon, Sheikh Abdul Amir Qabalan.

Following the meeting, the families urged the Turkish government to act immediately in order to arrest the kidnapers of the abducted pilgrims who enter Turkish territories "unpunished."

They also announced their decision to form a panel of lawyers tasked to follow up on the methods and regulations related to issuing arrest warrants and other judicial proceedings.

The families of the hostages urged the Lebanese government to refer the case to the Judicial Council "since they are Lebanese citizens."

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.