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Freed Lebanese Shia hostages return from Syria Freed Lebanese Shia hostages return from Syria
(35 minutes later)
Nine Lebanese Shia pilgrims who were kidnapped by rebels in Syria last year have arrived back in Beirut after being released. Nine Lebanese Shia pilgrims who were kidnapped by rebels in Syria in May 2012 have arrived back in Beirut a day after being released.
The group were freed in a deal brokered by Qatar. Two Turkish pilots who were being held hostage in Lebanon were also released as part of the agreement.The group were freed in a deal brokered by Qatar. Two Turkish pilots who were being held hostage in Lebanon were also released as part of the agreement.
Turkish Airlines pilots Murat Akpinar and Murat Agca were seized in Beirut in August in a retaliatory abduction.Turkish Airlines pilots Murat Akpinar and Murat Agca were seized in Beirut in August in a retaliatory abduction.
They are expected to be flown home on Saturday evening. They arrived in Istanbul on a Qatari jet on Saturday evening.
They have already been handed over to Lebanese security officials.
A third part of the complex hostage negotiations involved the release of a number of female prisoners being held by the Syrian government.A third part of the complex hostage negotiations involved the release of a number of female prisoners being held by the Syrian government.
It is not yet clear whether that has taken place.It is not yet clear whether that has taken place.
The BBC's Dima Hamdan, at Beirut airport, says she understands the Syrian government has agreed in principle to their release. The BBC's Dima Hamdan, at Beirut airport, says she understands the Syrian government was in the process of releasing an estimated 130 women detainees.
Kidnapping claimKidnapping claim
There were jubilant scenes at Beirut airport as the Lebanese group arrived after a year-and-a-half in captivity. The Lebanese group were released by their captors on Friday evening and driven to Istanbul, from where they flew to Beirut.
They were greeted by friends and family, as well as politicians and religious leaders. There were jubilant scenes at Beirut's international airport as they arrived after a year-and-a-half in captivity to greeted by friends and family, as well as politicians and religious leaders.
Speaking to local media, some of the men thanked the Qatari negotiators, Turkey and the Assad government for helping to free them.Speaking to local media, some of the men thanked the Qatari negotiators, Turkey and the Assad government for helping to free them.
The nine were among 11 people seized while making their way back to Lebanon after a tour of holy sites in Iran. Two of them escaped.The nine were among 11 people seized while making their way back to Lebanon after a tour of holy sites in Iran. Two of them escaped.
They were reportedly being held in northern Syria by fighters from a Sunni-based rebel group opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.They were reportedly being held in northern Syria by fighters from a Sunni-based rebel group opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Then in August, the pilots were seized from a bus close to Beirut's international airport. A group called Zuwwar al-Imam Rida said it had carried out the kidnapping, and that the men would be freed in exchange for the pilgrims.Then in August, the pilots were seized from a bus close to Beirut's international airport. A group called Zuwwar al-Imam Rida said it had carried out the kidnapping, and that the men would be freed in exchange for the pilgrims.
It demanded that Turkey used its influence with Syrian rebels to make the swap possible.It demanded that Turkey used its influence with Syrian rebels to make the swap possible.
Turkey has consistently backed Syria's Sunni rebels, while much of Lebanon's Shia community supports President Bashar al-Assad.Turkey has consistently backed Syria's Sunni rebels, while much of Lebanon's Shia community supports President Bashar al-Assad.
The pilots' abduction sparked protests in Lebanon, and growing concerns that the Syrian civil war is spilling over the border.The pilots' abduction sparked protests in Lebanon, and growing concerns that the Syrian civil war is spilling over the border.
Earlier this week they appeared in a video broadcast on Lebanese television saying they were both well and wanted to go home.Earlier this week they appeared in a video broadcast on Lebanese television saying they were both well and wanted to go home.
Then on Saturday, Turkish state media announced that they were free and returning home.Then on Saturday, Turkish state media announced that they were free and returning home.
They were met on arrival in Istanbul by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials.
Syrian and Lebanese politics have been deeply intertwined throughout the history of the two states.Syrian and Lebanese politics have been deeply intertwined throughout the history of the two states.
Syria had a large military presence in Lebanon for 29 years. It finally withdrew its soldiers in 2005, but has maintained a strong influence.Syria had a large military presence in Lebanon for 29 years. It finally withdrew its soldiers in 2005, but has maintained a strong influence.