Larijani Appeals To Qatari Speaker To Help Release Iranian Pilgrims Kidnapped In Syria

Tehran, Oct 10, IRNA -- Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on Tuesday appealed to his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Muhammad bin Mubarak al-Khalifa to help in the release of Iranian pilgrims kidnapped in Syria. In a telephone conversation, Larijani reminded al-Khalifa about constructive ties and cooperation between the two countries. "Majlis expects Qatari government to use all its influence with Syrian opposition to help an immediate release of Iranian hostages in Syria." Larijani said that families of the pilgrims are anxious about safety of their loved ones and that Iranian lawmakers expect their colleagues and counterparts to do their best to secure release of these Iranian citizens based on the brotherly ties. Al-Khalifa said that the Qatari parliament and government will do their utmost for the release of hostages. He said Qatari Emir is also following up the issue with sensitivity. Syrian insurgents have abducted 47 Iranian pilgrims as on August 4 while traveling on a bus from Damascus International Airport to the shrine of Hazrat Zainab (AS) on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus. The insurgents are reportedly under the control of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar./end