Jreissati confirms Lebanese hostages safe and sound outside rattled Azaz

Ministers tasked with following up on the affair of the nine Lebanese pilgrims kidnapped in Syria met Friday to discuss the fresh related developments after fierce clashes erupted between rebels and extremist fighters in Azaz town near borders with Turkey where hostages are strongly believed to be. "Our trusted sources informed us that the hostages are fine and in good health condition. They are present outside Azaz in a safe are where no security or military events took place," caretaker Minister of Labor, Salim Jreissati, told reporters. Albeit fears rose over the survival of the nine Lebanese who were snatched over a year ago, the Minister said there was still hope as negotiations to release them were still underway. Caretaker Minister of Interior, Marwan Charbel, maintained for his part that the Turkish were serious in helping free the kidnapped. Alongside Jreissati and Charbel, caretaker Ministers of Justice, Shakib Qortbawi, and Foreign Affairs, Adnan Mansour, partook in the meeting. Speaking to reporters, Charbel announced, on a different note, that army and security forces would start deploying in the Southern Suburb of Beirut as of next week. He said this step aimed to protect security and ward off the concerns of the citizens. But Charbel stressed that self-imposed security measures were refused. In the Suburb, Hezbollah has fixed examination checkpoints after two blasts jolted the party's stronghold this summer.