Merkel thanks Turkish security forces for securing hostages' release

Speaking to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan by phone yesterday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed news of the rescue of three German mountain climbers by Turkish security forces from the terrorist PKK and thanked the Turkish government and security forces for their efforts. The mountaineers had been kidnapped by the terrorist group earlier this month near Mt. Agri (Ararat), and yesterday returned to their country. German Ambassador to Ankara Eckhart Kuntz also expressed his thanks to Turkish security forces and praised the Turkish-German friendship. In related news, two Turkish engineers kidnapped in western Afghanistan last week have been set free and were returned home yesterday.