Turkey warns citizens on travelling to Lebanon

Citizens have been suggested to follow all the announcements and warnings of Turkey's foreign ministry or embassy in Beirut. Lebanese government is expected to take every precaution in order to ensure the safety of Turkish people living in the country, Turkish ministry stated.  Attempts and contact with Lebanese authorities have been under way to save the pilots and ensure that they return back to Turkey safe and sound. Referring to Friday's abduction of two Turkish pilots in Beirut, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said, "Contacts have been made immediately after the incident on which we have some predictions. I will also talk to Lebanese President. I hope the pilots will soon arrive home safe and sound." Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, on the other hand, said on his twitter account that every type of effort had been made to save Turkish pilots.  Turkish embassy has also been in contact with authorities from the very beginning of the event, he said. Gunmen abducted Friday a Turkish pilot Murat Akpinar and his assistant Murat Agca in Lebanon's Beirut city, said Lebanese security sources.  A shuttle including the pilot, the assistant pilot, and the crew of the Turkish Airlines plane which flew to Beirut from Istanbul was stopped by four gunmen on the way from airport to the hotel. A group named "Visitors of Imam Reza" claimed the responsibility and demanded that nine Lebanese people taken hostage in Syria previously be released in exchange for releasing Turkish pilots, said Al Jadeed TV of Lebanon.