Red Cross Promises To Pursue Case of Kidnapped Iranians In Libya

Tehran, Aug 11, IRNA – Head of International Committee of Red Cross and Secretary General of International Federation of National Societies of Red Cross and Red Crescent promised to pursue the case of the kidnapped Iranians in Libya. According to the report of Iran Red Crescent Society, the secretary general of the society Zaher Rostami, who is in Geneva, Switzerland, to talk about seven kidnapped Iranians situation in Libya with officials from international related bodies, had separate meetings with heads and senior officials of International Committee of Red Cross as well as secretary general of international federation of national societies of Red Cross and Red Crescent. In a meeting with President of International Committee of Red Cross Peter Maurer, Rostami presented a report concerning taking hostage of seven members of Iran Red Crescent in Libya and called for prompt action of the committee. He criticizes ICRC for not publishing a condemnation statement and asked ICRC to use all its capacity in the world to release the kidnapped Iranians and also condemn this act. Peter Maurer, for his part, expressed his deep concern and sorrow and strongly condemned the act and expressed ICRC readiness for every kind of cooperation to release the kidnapped Iranians. The Iranian official also discussed the issue with Secretary General of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ( IFRC) Bekele Geleta. Rostami presented Iran's demands from IFRC and Geleta expressed federation's full solidarity with Iran Red Crescent Society and families of kidnapped personnel. The two sides also agreed on cooperation with other national societies and humanitarian organizations and contacts with related organizations to release the kidnapped persons in Libya. Iranian 7-person delegation from Red Crescent Society were kidnapped in Libya on July 31, 2012 when they were returning to their hotel after signing an MoU with Libyan officials./end