previous news was posted at 12:06
Seven Estonian nationals kidnapped in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley region in March were freed Thursday morning, state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
The seven Estonians were freed in the Bekaa Valley region of Arsal, close to the border with Syria, and to where they were snatched at gunpoint while riding bikes, NNA said.
The seven entered the country on cycles and were kidnapped near the Bekaa Valley city of Zahleh, east Lebanon, Xinhua reported.
Television reports said the Estonians were heading to the French Embassy in Beirut. The French authorities closely collaborated with Lebanon and Estonia to help release the cyclists.
Reports added Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet will arrive in Beirut in the afternoon and meet his countrymen.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour confirmed the release, saying "with the release, we can now turn an ugly page in Lebanon. "