Estonian bicyclists freed in Lebanon

BEIRUT, Lebanon, July 14 (UPI) -- Seven Estonian bicyclists kidnapped earlier this year were released Thursday in Lebanon, though sources said Beirut had no prior knowledge of the operation.

The cyclists were captured by gunmen in late March after crossing the Syrian border into Lebanon.

A previously unknown group calling itself the Renaissance and Reform Movement issued an e-mail statement to Lebanese media demanding an unspecified ransom and Lebanese authorities had expressed concern that Syria might be behind the abductions.

Security officials told The Daily Star newspaper in Lebanon that the bicyclists were released Thursday from Hezbollah strongholds in the south of the country.

French authorities took charge of the former captives and took them to the French Embassy in Beirut.

Denis Pietton, the French envoy to Beirut, told the newspaper the cyclists' release came as a result of "efforts undertaken solely by Lebanon and Estonia." A source told the newspaper, however, that Beirut didn't know about the operation until the French came forward with their release.

French Embassy officials said the Estonians would be handed to their foreign minister who was on his way to Beirut. The Lebanese newspaper noted the men appeared in good health as they waved from the balcony of the French Embassy.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2011/07/14/Estonian-bicyclists-freed-in-Lebanon/UPI-59611310649034/.