Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel met earlier today with the Turkish ambassador to Lebanon Inan Ozyildiz.

During their meeting, Charbel stressed on the need to separate the nine Lebanese pilgrims' case from that pertaining to the two abducted Turkish pilots, noting that Lebanon's security apparatuses are exerting strenuous efforts in order to grant the release of the Turks.

Charbel urged the Turkish authorities also to press negotiations and do what it takes to release the nine abducted Lebanese.

The outgoing minister pinned hope on his upcoming meeting with Turkish officials in Ankara.

For his part, the Turkish envoy reiterated his country's demand to release the two pilots and not to link their case to that of the nine pilgrims.