Four suspects detained in Lebanon over kidnapping of Turkish pilots

BEIRUT - Anadolu Agency

The Turkish pilots were kidnapped Aug. 9 by a group demanding Turkey use its influence with Syrian rebels, who the country backs, to secure the release of the nine Lebanese Shiites.

Lebanese authorities detained four suspects Aug. 14 in the investigation launched to free the two Turkish pilots kidnapped in Beirut Aug. 9.

All four suspects were interrogated, security officials said, adding that the investigation had deepened following the names disclosed by a relative of one of the Lebanese Shiites kidnapped in Syria in May 2012.

Authorities also described the kidnapping of the Turkish Airlines pilots as a "professionally executed and complex" act.

The Turkish pilots were kidnapped Aug. 9 by a group demanding Turkey use its influence with Syrian rebels, who the country backs, to secure the release of the nine Lebanese Shiites.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu has warned his counterpart about the repercussions should the pilots not be freed.

A delegation from Turkey's National Intelligence Agency (MİT) has met Lebanon Interior Minister Marwan Sharbil to step up efforts to free the pilots.