Captors 'sweet' say freed nuns

Greek Orthodox nuns held by rebels say they were treated with respect. Picture / AP

Syrian rebels praised after prisoner exchange.

Thirteen nuns kidnapped by Syrian militants blamed for some of the worst atrocities in the Syrian civil war have been freed in a prisoner exchange. Far from being ill-treated, they describe their keepers as kind and sweet. Before they went on their way they exchanged pleasantries with the rebels from Jabhat al-Nusra, a rebel group that fights for the creation of an Islamic state in Syria. One nun, who was too weak to walk, was carried to the car by a rebel fighter who covered his face with a black scarf.

The remarkable scene was part of a deal brokered between extremist rebels and the Syrian Government that saw the release of 13 nuns captured in December in exchange for the release of 150 female prisoners and four children held by the Government. Later, one of the nuns would give a brief account of their time with one of the most feared rebel groups in Syria: "They were kind and sweet."

The release is the latest in a series of similar exchanges between government forces and rebel groups, despite the country's brutal civil war continuing apace. The Government is keen to portray itself as the protector of minorities in Syria - predominantly Christians and Alawites.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a watchdog based in the UK, declared Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, was behind the abduction.

The group has been blamed for some of the worst atrocities of the Syrian civil war - including the deliberate targeting of civilians.

But according to the nuns, they were treated well by their captors. The rebel video shows the nuns having good rapport with their captors, smiling and exchanging blessings.

An unseen rebel says: "I was so happy to be in communication with you and I hope we can stay in communication, if God decides that. Please say hello to your families for me, and I hope you arrive safely," he adds as the nuns get into the car.

The Greek Orthodox nuns and their three maids were taken after a rebel offensive in the mostly Christian town of Maaloula, where Aramaic is still spoken.

The prisoner exchange is the latest reconciliatory gesture by the Government, which relies on support from minority Alawites and Christians. Negotiations are ongoing to facilitate the release of two archbishops.

- Independent

Missing in Syria

Clerics, journalists and activists are among those missing in Syria and believed to be in the captivity of rebels. Many are thought to have been taken by radical factions, in particular the al-Qaeda breakaway group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

ClericsTwo bishops and a priest have been missing since last April.

ActivistsSyria's leading human rights lawyer, Razan Zaytouni, was abducted with her husband and two other prominent activists from a rebel-held Damascus suburb last December. Nobody claimed responsibility for her abduction, but it came after she wrote an article denouncing the Islamic State.

Abdullah Khalil, also a human rights lawyer, has been missing since last May.

JournalistsThe New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists estimates about 30 international and local reporters are being held.

They include two Spanish journalists, four French journalists, and a Lebanese, a Mauritanian and a Jordanian national of Palestinian origin.

- AP