Previously unknown group claims kidnap of 7 Estonians in Lebanon

2011-03-31 17:55:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

BEIRUT (BNO NEWS) -- A previously unknown group on Thursday claimed responsibility for the kidnapping last week of seven Estonians in Lebanon, the news portal Lebanon Files reported.

Lebanon Files reported that it had received an e-mail from a group calling itself Haraket El Nahda Wal Islah, meaning the Movement for Renewal and Reform. The e-mail contained photos of several Estonian identity cards as proof and said the victims were in a good condition, adding that the group would announce its demands at a later time.

On Wednesday, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves met with Foreign Affairs Minister Urmas Paet to receive an update on the investigation. He said the European country has been offered help by "many countries" to resolve the situation.

"I do assure you: the Republic of Estonia with its allies will do everything within our power to find and release the Estonian citizens who were kidnapped in Lebanon and bring them back home," Ilves said.

The Estonian leader further asked the public to stop speculating about the motives behind the hostage taking and asked for privacy for the families of the victims. "I am asking you all to understand that detailed disclosure of the actions taken by Estonia and our allies is not appropriate at the moment and may result in postponing the release of the Estonian citizens," he said.

The Estonian government has also established an Intra-Institutional Crisis Committee led by Paet to deal with the situation.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-31

This is sure to promote warm feelings for Lebanon in Estonia.