Location of kidnapped Turkish pilots "changed"

Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Sherbil said on Tuesday that the location at which the two kidnapped Turkish pilots were being kept had changed. Sherbil, stating that Lebanese security forces would do their best to find the pilots, said they would use force if necessary and would ensure the safety of the pilots during the operations.

"The Turkish pilots had been located, we were about to rescue them, but the kidnappers must have noticed it because their (the pilots) location has been changed," said the Lebanese minister.

Sherbil also noted that the "Turkish pilots are in good medical condition" as they had received information, adding that the interrogation had been carried out confidentially for the safety of the rescue operation.

Unidentified gunmen had abducted Turkish pilot Murat Akpinar and his co-pilot Murat Agca in Beirut.

A group named "Visitors of Imam Reza" has claimed responsibility for the abduction of the two Turkish pilots.

The group made an earlier statement that they would release the Turkish pilots in exchange of 9 Lebanese nationals held as hostages in Syria.