Rebels free Iranian hostages 'to win release of 2,000'
Wednesday 09 January 2013
Printable
EmailForty-eight Iranians arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus today after being released by rebels in a prisoner swap deal.
It has reportedly seen them freed in return for the release of over 2,000 prisoners held by the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
Their safe arrival was reported by Iranian TV, although the Syrian administration remained tight-lipped on the exchange.
The 48 were kidnapped last August.
Rebels said their captives were linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, but Iran said they were pilgrims.
Tehran's ambassador in Damascus Mohammad Riza Shibani said they had been freed following complex and "tough" negotiations.
- United Nations envoy Lakhdar Brahimi is expected to meet top Russian and US diplomats on Friday to discuss events in Syria.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns would hold a summit in Geneva to explore ways to settle the crisis.
If you appreciated this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep developing your paper.
Editorial
Stand by our firefighters
Fire Minister Brandon Lewis probably had a fair idea what Sir Ken Knight would deliver when he asked him to conduct an "independent" report into fire and rescue services in England.
Features
A timely reminder of the long fight ahead
As LGBT activists worldwide celebrate anti-homophobia day we are reminded of prevailing prejudice
Fighting child abuse in the community
Bradford has seen the launch of a new campaign to battle the sources of child sex exploitation - and combat far-right bids to make it a racial issue