Efforts continue for Syrian bishops’ release

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey continues to exert effort to secure the release of two Syrian bishops who were kidnapped in April.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, Turkish Foreign Ministry officials told Hürriyet Daily News the negotiation process continued during the talks to free two Turkish pilots and Lebanese pilgrims. “It is our utmost desire to gain their freedom. A Muslim or a Christian, it is indifferent to us,” the official said. Greek Orthodox Bishop Boulos Yaziji and Syriac Orthodox Bishop Yohanna Ibrahim were kidnapped April 22 in Syria by armed men en route from the Turkish border. Meanwhile, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman vowed to help secure the release of the bishops. Suleiman urged during yesterday’s security meeting that every effort be exerted to help secure the release of Yaziji and Ibrahim. The president also congratulated the head of the General Security Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim for his efforts that led to the release pilgrims.