One Lebanese pilgrim kidnapped in Syria freed

BEIRUT, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- One of the Lebanese pilgrims who have been held hostage in Syria since May was released Tuesday, the National News Agency reported.

The NNA said the hostage, named Ibrahim, crossed the Syrian border to Turkey and is expected to return to Beirut within hours.

As many as 11 Lebanese pilgrims were kidnapped by the rebel Free Syrian Army in Syria's northern province of Aleppo on May 22 as they were returning home from Iran.

"I fell mildly ill yesterday and they told me they would take me to the doctor. I was surprised by the decision to release me," Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim thanked the Association of Muslim Scholars and Turkish and Lebanese officials for their efforts to facilitate his release.

Last month, another hostage was released in what his captors said was a "goodwill gesture." Enditem