48 Iranian captives held in Syria will be released soon, Iranian FM says

TEHRAN,Dec.31(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said the 48 Iranian religious tourists who were kidnapped in Syria in early August will be released soon. Iran has been intensively negotiating with countries which have great sway over the Syrian rebel forces for the release of religious tourists. “So far, there has been a lot of lobbying, and the people will soon hear good news in this regard,” Salehi told on Sunday. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry media office, Salehi held phone talks on Sunday with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, a dialogue which is predicted to herald the release of the Iranian captives. The Iranian nationals were abducted while on a pilgrimage visit to Damascus on August 4. They were kidnapped on their way to Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque.