Mikati’s visit to Turkey postponed amid ongoing efforts to release...

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PM Najib Mikati announced on Saturday that, following consultations with President Michel Sleiman and Speaker Nabih Berri as well as contacts with Turkish officials, his visit to Turkey was postponed after information emerged that the kidnapped Lebanese have not been released yet.

Mikati confirmed that all information confirms that efforts and contacts are ongoing to win the release of the 11 abductees.

Mikati was expected to visit Istanbul to meet with his Turkish counterpart Erdogan and Turkish FM Davutoglu to thank them for the exerted efforts to secure the release of the abductees.

In a related context, the head of the higher military council of the Free Syrian Army Brigadier General Mustafa Sheikh told LBCI that the FSA does not have any information on the Lebanese abductees, saying “we strongly reproach Sayyed Nasrallah for his position towards the Syrian people.”

LBCI’s correspondent in Turkey earlier confirmed ongoing negotiations between Turkey and the kidnappers, denying the presence of the abductees in Turkey.

The correspondent also pointed out that the Turkish authorities are being discreet about the kidnapping issue.

It was earlier reported that the kidnapped pilgrims are in good health condition and unharmed.

However, a state of mystery and suspense prevail over the Beirut’s Southern Suburb awaiting any news concerning the fate of the abductees.

Families and relatives of the kidnapped men in Syria issued a second statement on Saturday, whereby they held Turkey completely responsible for returning the kidnapped to Lebanon safely and as soon as possible. They added that any comment or remark outside this context will be completely rejected and considered as organized state terrorism.

In this context, a representative of the Badr al-Koubra campaign told LBCI that the kidnapped are now in Turkey, noting that the Turkish government is not investigating with them, but conducting logistic measures.

The representative said that any decision to boycott the Turkish government will be issued by the Lebanese government, pointing out that the kidnapped relatives do not want to step up their movement in the streets.

In turn, MP Ali Ammar confirmed to LBCI on Saturday that no security forces are deployed near the entrance to Dahiyeh, confirming, however, that the Amal Movement and Hezbollah are coordinating to deploy security personnel affiliated with Hezbollah to preserve civil peace.

Ammar reassured the relatives of the 11 Lebanese abductees that the kidnapping case is being followed up at the highest levels.

The Free People of Syria party, which is mediating the release of the Lebanese men kidnapped in Syria, announced on Saturday that last-minute developments delayed the handover of the abductees, adding that the issue is under examination.