Awad Ibrahim thanks LBCI, hopes remaining hostages will be released soon

The freed hostage Awad Ibrahim arrived to Beirut Southern Suburb on Wednesday evening fireworks were launch in celebration of his return.

In an exclusive interview with LBCI, Awad Ibrahim called on the Lebanese people to unite, hoping that the nine remaining hostages will be released soon. Ibrahim noted that the Association of Muslim Scholars and former PM Saad Hariri played the main role in his release process. "I thank LBCI and especially Sheikh Pierre Daher", he added.

Upon his arrival to Beirut International Airport, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel expressed his gratitude to former PM Saad Hariri for his positive role in the case of releasing the Lebanese hostages in Syria, noting that "the Turkish authorities have done more than the required duties".

Charbel added that "happiness cannot be complete unless all hostages are released", he said during a press conference. He stressed that Abou Ibrahim will apologize once he realizes that the hostages are innocent.

Ibrahim was set free on Tuesday and crossed into Turkey one month following the release of Lebanese hostage, Hussein Ali Omar.                

The two men were among 11 Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped by a group that claims affiliations with the rebel Free Syrian Army in the northern province of Aleppo on May 22 while on their way home from Iranian pilgrimage sites.         

9 hostages remain in the custody of the Syrian kidnappers who have asked for an apology from Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, to no avail.