Kidnapping Of Iranian, Lebanese Hostages Marks A Dark Record For Syrian Opposition

Beirut, Dec 26, IRNA – Iran's Ambassador to Lebanon, Ghazanfar Roknabadi, said on Tuesday that kidnapping of Iranian and Lebanese citizens marks a dark record for the Syrian opposition. Roknabadi told reporters that such people consider themselves standard-bearers of democracy in Syria, whereas, hostage taking would leave a dark stain on their forehead. He said that the Lebanese officials would follow up the issue on humanitarian ground, Iran hopes that the hostages would be freed soon. Noting that Iran's six-point peace plan aims settlement of Syria crisis in coordination with the UN, the Iranian official said that the plan emphasizes democratic process to be followed and end violence and go ahead with free and fair election to form national reconciliation government. On Lebanon, he said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always called for promotion of national unity in Lebanon. The Iranian envoy said members of Lebanese community should move shoulder to shoulder, especially considering the sensitive situation prevailing over the region. "On the same basis, we support unity and stability of Lebanon." Roknabadi said that Iran's stance on resistance to the occupying Zionist regime is crystal clear. Lebanese President Michel Suleiman on Tuesday voiced sympathy with the Lebanese hostages, who were abducted in Syria by the Syrian opposition more than six months ago on their way to Mashhad. He said such an act runs counter to humanitarian principles, stressing that the Lebanese hostages should be freed soon, because they were kidnapped as they were to fulfill their religious duty. President Suleiman said that a committee has been assigned to following up the case of the Lebanese hostages./end