Relatives await hostages' return in Beirut
- 12 years ago
Good news in Lebanon as families find out their relatives have been freed in northern Syria.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MARIAM FAKEEH, RELATIVE OF ONE OF THE RELEASED HOSTAGES, SAYING:
"We are so happy, and we thank everyone who helped secure the release of these men because these men are our children and our relatives.''
The Lebanese Shi'ite men were among a group of pilgrims returning to Lebanon from Iran on Tuesday, when gunmen stopped their bus after it crossed into Syria from Turkey.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE RELATIVE OF ONE OF THE RELEASED HOSTAGES SAYING:
''I am speechless. That's how I feel. I am so happy, and the whole area of the southern suburbs of Beirut is so happy on this day which is a double anniversary - Liberation Day and the return of our loved ones.''
The pilgrims' release came on the same day citizens marked the anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.
The kidnapping had triggered protests in Shi'ite areas of Beirut, and raised fears it could ignite sectarian conflict in Lebanon.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MARIAM FAKEEH, RELATIVE OF ONE OF THE RELEASED HOSTAGES, SAYING:
"We are so happy, and we thank everyone who helped secure the release of these men because these men are our children and our relatives.''
The Lebanese Shi'ite men were among a group of pilgrims returning to Lebanon from Iran on Tuesday, when gunmen stopped their bus after it crossed into Syria from Turkey.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE RELATIVE OF ONE OF THE RELEASED HOSTAGES SAYING:
''I am speechless. That's how I feel. I am so happy, and the whole area of the southern suburbs of Beirut is so happy on this day which is a double anniversary - Liberation Day and the return of our loved ones.''
The pilgrims' release came on the same day citizens marked the anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.
The kidnapping had triggered protests in Shi'ite areas of Beirut, and raised fears it could ignite sectarian conflict in Lebanon.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters