Iranian FM holds talks with Qatari officials on Iranians abducted in Syria

TEHRAN,Oct.13(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi held a meeting with a number of Qatari officials, including Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, during his visit to Doha on Wednesday and Thursday, Iranian media outlets reported. During his meeting with the Qatari emir on Thursday, the two officials discussed bilateral ties and the latest regional and international developments. Salehi said, “In our meetings with the Qatari officials during the trip, we discussed regional issues, particularly the Syrian issue and the Iranian abductees.” Salehi was referring to the 48 Iranian nationals who were abducted by the Syrian rebel al-Baraa Brigade, which is affiliated with the self-proclaimed Free Syrian Army, on August 4 and have been threatened with death. “During the trip, we also held talks on bilateral cooperation and the ways to expand it and also international issues,” the Iranian foreign minister stated. Asked if the Qatari officials gave him any promise to help obtain the release of the abducted Iranians, Salehi said, “I cannot explain it now.” Abducted Iranians are in good health: Salehi Salehi said on Wednesday that the Iranians abducted in Syria are in “good health”. “Thanks be to God, all of them are in good health,” the Iranian foreign minister told reporters after a cabinet meeting.