"Syrian President Bashar al-Assad played a very valuable role in the release of 48 Iranian pilgrims kidnapped in Damascus," Boroujerdi said on Thursday.
"If the Syrian government had not cooperated, the Iranian nationals would not have been set free."
The Iranian lawmaker stated that the release of Iranian pilgrims after 159 days of captivity has been made possible through an orchestrated effort and intensive talks.
On August 4, armed insurgents in Syria had kidnapped 48 Iranian pilgrims who were traveling on a bus from Damascus International Airport to the shrine of Hazrat Zainab (AS) on the outskirts of Damascus.
The 48 Iranian pilgrims arrived at Mehrabad International Airport on Thursday evening.
They were released in a swap deal between the Syrian government and armed opposition groups.
Iran also has used all diplomatic, political and security means to release the 48 Iranian pilgrims.
Ever since the abductions took place, the Foreign Ministry and the Iranian embassy in Damascus have been pursuing the fate and release of the kidnapped Iranian nationals through different channels.
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Chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi praised Damascus for its key role in the freedom of the kidnapped Iranian pilgrims in Syria.
News ID 183926
