Turkey working on pilgrims

ANKARA - Hürriyet Daily News

Iranian FM Salehi appeals to his Turkish counterpart Davutoğlu for aid. AFP photo

Iran requested Turkey’s help in securing the release of Iranian pilgrims abducted in Syria over the weekend, and Ankara has said it will continue to make all possible efforts.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi appealed to Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu for help in the rescue of 48 Iranian pilgrims who were abducted in Damascus. Turkey continues to consider the incident a humanitarian issue and will exert all possible effort to assist, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Selçuk Ünal said yesterday in a written statement. Ünal also dismissed media reports claiming that a Turkish general had been arrested in Aleppo and would allegedly be exchanged for the 48 Iranian pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Turkey has not confirmed yet President Abdullah Gül’s participation to the Non-Aligned Movement summit, a Turkish diplomat told Daily News. Turkey, along with Russia and the U.N, have been invited to Tehran for an Aug. 30-31 summit being hosted by Iran, its official IRNA news agency reported Aug.5.