Heroes’ welcome in Lebanon for freed prisoners

A public holiday has been declared in their honour.
All are being hailed as heroes.

Lebanon has been celebrating the return of five prisoners, freed by Israel under an exchange deal with Hezbollah.

Senior officials joined well-wishers in greeting the freed captives at the border village of Naqoura.
Later they were to receive a formal welcome at Beirut Airport from Lebanon’s prime minister, president and the speaker of parliament.

Handed over via the Red Cross, the five include Samir Qantar. He had been serving several life sentences for killing three Israelis in 1979, including a four year old girl.

Qantar is reviled in Israel where he was the longest-serving Lebanese prisoner and where the festivities surrounding his release have been denounced.

Copyright © 2012 euronews