Lebanese Intelligence Officials Consulted On Fate Of Kidnapped Iranians

Beirut, Feb 7, IRNA – Iran’s ambassador here Monday held talks with Lebanon’s internal intelligence commander and interior minister on the release from captivity of kidnapped engineers in Syria and their transfer to northern Lebanon. Ambassador Qazanfar Roknanadi in his talks with Chief Internal Intelligence Commander Brigadier General Ashraf Rifi, Deputy Intelligence Commander Brigadier General Khouri Qa’em, and Interior Minister Marwan Shuraibal said that the fate of the kidnapped Iranian engineers in Syria is of great importance for Tehran. The Lebanese interior minister keeping in mind the moves made in that respect, reiterated, “The matter is pursued seriously aimed at clarifying the fate of the Iranian engineers.” Roknabadi had earlier, too, reacted to the broadcasted news on transfer of the seven Iranian kidnapped engineers to northern Lebanon, asking the Lebanese government to launch investigations about the matter. Inviting the Lebanese officials to provide information on the matter, he said, “If the news in this respect would be authentic, the Lebanese officials are expected to take immediate steps aimed at releasing them form captivity.” On December 21, 2011, eight technicians, including five Iranian electrical engineers were kidnapped by armed gunmen while traveling to a power plant in the Syrian city of Homs. Later, two other Iranians, who were trying to obtain information about the missing men, were also kidnapped, and their whereabouts are still unknown./end