This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24598054

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Freed Lebanese Shia hostages return from Syria Freed Lebanese Shia hostages return from Syria
(about 1 hour later)
Nine Lebanese Shia pilgrims who were kidnapped by rebels in Syria in May 2012 have arrived back in Beirut a day 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. Two Turkish pilots who were being held hostage in Lebanon were also released as part of the agreement, which was negotiated by Qatar.
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 arrived in Istanbul on a Qatari jet on Saturday evening.They arrived in Istanbul on a Qatari jet on Saturday evening.
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 was in the process of releasing an estimated 130 women detainees. 'No values'
Kidnapping claim The Lebanese group, all men, were released by their captors on Friday evening and driven to Istanbul, from where they flew to Beirut.
The Lebanese group were released by their captors on Friday evening and driven to Istanbul, from where they flew to Beirut. There were jubilant scenes as they arrived at the international airport to be 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. The men appeared tired but in good health.
Speaking to local media, some of the men thanked the Qatari negotiators, Turkey and the Assad government for helping to free them. "A whole year passed and each of us never slept more than two hours a night due to exhaustion and too much thinking about what would or could happen to us," one told the BBC.
Others described being kept in dark and windowless rooms and hearing heavy fighting.
"Our abductors didn't respect us, they treated us badly," Ali Zogheib was quoted as saying by Lebanese media.
"We wished that any of them had any kind of values", another said of his captors. One of the pilgrims thought they had been held close to the Syrian border with Turkey.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says it is clear that huge effort has gone into producing the complicated deal, in which Qatar, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority are all reported to have had a mediating role.
Lebanon's security chief Maj Gen Abbas Ibrahim, who co-ordinated the hostage release, said it had been "difficult, without a doubt".
"I didn't want anything from this deal, except to see this sight,'' he said, gesturing at the cheering crowds.
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. The rebels insisted their hostages were fighters with the Lebanese Shia militant group Hezbollah, and were demanding the release of women detainees held by the Syrian regime in exchange.
Then in August, Murat Akpinar and Murat Agca were seized from a bus close to Beirut's international airport. A previously unknown group called Zuwwar al-Imam Rida said it had kidnapped them, and that they would be freed if the Lebanese group were set free.
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.
In response, Turkey advised its citizens in Lebanon to leave if 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 was 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.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.
The conflict in Syria, now in its third year, has claimed more than 100,000 lives and created more than two million refugees.
Our correspondent says that while the war rages on, the exchange creates a small glimmer of hope as efforts intensify to arrange a peace conference in Geneva next month.