BEIRUT
A Turkish truck driver Abdulbasit Arslan, who was recently abducted in Lebanon, was freed on Thursday and he said that it was really hard for him to live away from his family and children for 28 days.
Sources said that Arslan was handed over to Lebanese troops on Thursday after getting abducted on August 18. Speaking to reporters at the police headquarters, Arslan said that he was very happy and hoped Lebanese citizens abducted in Syria would get released soon.
He thanked Turkish officials for their efforts. His spouse Melahat Arslan and children of Arslan were taken to Hatay to meet him. Seeing their father and husband 28 days later, they had emotional moments.
Journalists asked him what he went through, Arslan answered, "There were no problems, no threats. It was just hard. I stayed in a room for 28 days, never had such an experience before so I found it tough. It was hard to be away from family and children."
Turkish Minister of Justice Sadullah Ergin stated over the rescue of Arslan, "We put so much effort in order to save him. Thank God he returned to his country safe and sound. We are happy to have him back."
Freed Turkish truck driver: Happy to be at home
Arslan told AA that after his release, he came together with his family and it was great to be at his home after 28 days.
He thanked Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and many other people who exerted so much effort for his release.
He stressed that he was really touched by Turkish PM Erdogan's close interest, he added, "When our PM Erdogan called me from Ukraine, I was moved, surprised and happy."
He noted that during those 28 days, he was kept in a house in Lebanon, armed people were coming to house and talking to him.
"I was constantly asking them why they kidnapped me, they were only telling me that, 'we want the eleven Lebanon hostages back. Turkey has to take an action about this issue'," Arslan added.
