World Bulletin / News Desk

Turkish President Abdullah Gul has revealed that Iran has promised to help Turkey free two Turkish Airlines pilots who were kidnapped in Lebanon two months ago. Having flown to the US to attend a United Nations meeting, Abdullah Gul told reporters that he had spoken with the new Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, who offered his support in solving the issue.

The two Turkish pilots, Murat Ağca and Murat Akpınar, were kidnapped in Beirut two months ago by a group loyal to the Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. They have demanded that Turkey assists them in securing the release of nine Lebanese citizens who have been held captive by Syrian rebels since May 2012. The group, known as Zuwwar Imam al-Rida, has been in negotiations with the Turkish authorities since.

Abdullah Gul told reporters ‘Iran will help us to free the pilots. We have also helped them in similar cases.’ This development comes with the seemingly improving relationship between the US and Iran after the two sides dedicated themselves to solving the Iranian nuclear issue via dialogue.

The Turkish leader also mentioned that improvements between Iran and Turkey’s western ally the US will work in the favor of his nation, saying it will bring with it many economic benefits should the embargoes be lifted from its eastern neighbor.