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Hezbollah chief calls on Syrian abductors to release Lebanese pilgrims

02 June 2012 00:57 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The Lebanese Hezbollah chief Sayed Hassan Nasrallah on Friday called on the Syrian abductors of Lebanese pilgrims to release the innocent people, the National News Agency reported, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Nasrallah made the remarks during a televised speech to the group’s rally, which marks the 23rd anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In a direct message to the kidnappers, Nasrallah said "if there is any problem with me, let it be solved by the way you like, whether via peace, war, or even love."

In the meantime, Nasrallah pointed to the Lebanese government’s responsibility to gain the release of the abducted and bringing them back safe to Lebanon.

He said "the abducted are Lebanese citizens and therefore the state is responsible for their dignity and freedom," while pledging his Hezbollah’s readiness to help.

He also asked the families of pilgrims and their supporters to remain calm and show self-restraint and to give the government enough time and an opportunity to act on the crisis.

The Syrian rebels are holding 11 Lebanese hostage, who they kidnapped near the Aleppo town of Aazaz bordering Turkey on May 21. The Lebanese were in Syria en route to Lebanon from a religious visit to Iran.