By Melike Ince
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
BEIRUT, Lebanon — The release and return of eleven Lebanese pilgrims captured in Syria has caused a significant amount of unrest in both countries.
The Shiite pilgrims were traveling through Syria last Tuesday after a trip to Iran when their bus was intercepted by a group of men offering assistance in escaping violence in the area. It later became clear that the armed group was looking to abduct some of the travelers. Women on the bus were allowed to go free but the men were taken to an unknown area in Syria. Some of the women who were freed told reporters the armed kidnappers claimed to be members of the Free Syria Army (FSA), who sought a bargaining tool to negotiate the release of its members held by the Syrian army.
The FSA denied involvement and condemned the kidnappings, claiming that the abduction does not represent the values of their party. Mustafa al-Sheikh, a senior officer in the FSA, suggested that the Syrian government is likely responsible for the act.
The abduction has sparked a significant amount of protests in Lebanon where citizens have taken to the streets, cutting off roads and burning tires, to show their opposition. Leaders of Hezbollah, the largest Shiite party in the country, have called for protestors to stay peaceful and not disrupt everyday life in Lebanon.
Despite Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s confirmation that the men would be released Friday, family members were still waiting as of Saturday evening. The men were supposed to be taken to Turkey and returned to Lebanon from there. But according to Turkish officials, they had not yet left Syria. Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said the release was delayed for “logistical reasons” and that the men were being questioned in Turkey but are safe and would return soon.
The abduction comes at a significant time for Lebanon. The country has been torn internally over the recent conflicts in Syria. Several deadly clashes have ignited among supporters and opponents of the Syrian government. The increased tension led the Lebanese cabinet to hold an emergency session on Wednesday to review security concerns in the country.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has shown her concern over the situation stating that, “the developments in Syria are contributing to instability in Lebanon” and encouraged all parties to “respect the security and stability of Lebanon.”
For more information, please see;
Daily Star Lebanon – Contacts Continuing in Effort to Release Lebanese Hostages – 27 May 2012
Al Jazeera – Location of Lebanese Pilgrims Still Unknown – 26 May 2012
Syrian Arab News Agency – Arrival of the Lebanese Kidnapped in Syria Delayed for Logistic Reasons – 26 May 2012
BBC – Lebanese Shia Pilgrims Abducted in Syria Released – 25 May 2012
CNN – Lebanese Official: Pilgrims Abducted in Syria Soon to be Freed – 23 May 2012
