Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Two Kidnapped Syrian Bishops Believed Located; Lebanon Security Chief Strives for Their Release

Lebanese authorities believe that two Syrian bishops -- kidnapped on April 22 near Aleppo -- have been located. According to Lebanon's security chief, Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, "indirect contact" has been established with the two abducted churchmen in an attempt to secure their safe release, the Spero Forum website reports today (October 30, 2013).

In statements released on October 29, General Ibrahim declared, "About a month ago, I contacted a person who told me where the bishops Boulos al-Yazigi and Yohanna Ibrahim were, and on this basis, I started the negotiations."

He added, "We are now indirectly in contact with the kidnappers, and this is an important development that we will use as a starting point to get the results we hoped for."

The two metropolitan bishops of Aleppo -- the Greek Orthodox Boulos al-Yazigi and the Syrian Orthodox Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim -- were kidnapped on April 22 in the area between the Syrian metropolis and the border with Turkey. Since then, no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

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