CEOAFRICA gathered that Nine Lebanese Shia pilgrims that were part of a group of 11 who were held hostage in Syria, while making their way back to Lebanon in May 2012 after a tour of holy sites in Iran have been released.

According to source, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said the pilgrims have crossed over into southern Turkey, and will arrive back in Lebanon soon.

The news of the release was greeted with jubilation in southern Beirut, where relatives of some of those kidnapped.

According to source, there are still expectations that a number of female prisoners being held by the Syrian government might be released as part of an elaborate three-way deal.

In August a group called Zuwwar al-Imam Rida said it was behind the kidnapping of two Turkish pilots in Beirut, saying they would be freed in exchange for the pilgrims.