Turkish hostage in Lebanon is released

A Turkish man abducted by a Lebanese Shiite clan last month was released after negotiations between Lebanese authorities and clan members who kidnapped the Turkish businessmen. Tekin was kidnapped along with about 20 Syrians in retaliation for the kidnapping of clan member Hassan al-Meqdad -- allegedly by the opposition Free Syrian Army in Damascus. In a statement, the Lebanese army said on Tuesday that it "freed four kidnapped Syrians after raiding a location in Hay al-Sellum following surveillance and follow-ups," but there was no word on the fate of Tekin. Quoting anonymous Lebanese military officials, the Anatolia news agency said Lebanese authorities held talks with members of the Meqdad clan and the clan agreed to free Tekin. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the Turkish businessman Aydin Tufan Tekin, who was abducted in Lebanon in mid-August, was handed over to the Turkish Ambassador in Beirut Inan Ozyildiz today. Davutoglu also underlined Turkey continued efforts for the release of other Turkish citizens being held hostage in Syria and Lebanon after a Turkish businessman was released in Lebanon.