Syrian authorities have released an Egyptian national they accused of taking part in protests there, Egyptian authorities said Monday.
Efforts by the Egyptian Embassy in Damascus led to the release, the Egyptian authorities said.
Since March, protesters in Syrian cities nationwide have demanded reforms and the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad. Syrian security services have responded with force, leaving hundreds killed and injured.
Egypt's state-run news agency MENA quoted an official from the embassy on Monday as saying that Syrian authorities arrested Raqab al-Qabbany, 42, for allegedly taking part in protests.
According to MENA, the source said the embassy contacted Syrian officials, securing his release and deportation to Egypt.
The source said the embassy’s efforts over the past week also led to release of 12 Egyptians accused of illegal immigration. They were trying to enter Turkey and Lebanon via Syria, the source said. They were also deported.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
