TEHRAN, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast warned Saturday against harming 48 abducted Iranians in Syria, and held their abductors responsible for their safety.
"Using defenseless pilgrims as a human shield runs counter to human rights principles," Mehmanparast said on Saturday, adding that the kidnappers and their allies are responsible for the safety of the Iranian abductees in Syria.
He also called for international efforts to ensure the immediate release of the 48 Iranian hostages in Syria.
Iran calls on the responsible international bodies to make efforts for the immediate release of all the defenseless Iranian abductees and nationals and to invariably prevent such moves in the future, the spokesperson said.
On August 4, 2012, 48 Iranians were abducted in the vicinity of Damascus, Syria, by the Free Syrian Army.
Two days ago, the abductors, in a video footage, warned that they would kill the Iranian if the Syrian government did not release captured anti-government fighters and if it did not stop operations against armed groups in the country within 48 hours. (end) mw.ibi KUNA 061730 Oct 12NNNN