BEIRUT (AA) - Lebanese government has beefed up security measures to ensure the safety of Turkish people living in the country.
Following the abduction of two Turkish pilots in capital Beirut and the statements of families of abducted Lebanese people in Azaz town of Syria towards Turkish institutions, Lebanese security forces took further measures at Turkish institutions in Lebanon including the offices of the Turkish Airlines and the Anadolu Agency.
Lebanese Internal Security Forces Chief Joseph Muslim told the Anadolu Agency that they have taken extensive measures around Turkish institutions and hotels Turkish nationals stay in.
Turkey's Ambassador in Beirut Inan Ozyildiz also said that the Turkish Trade Center and Cultural Center were closed temporarily for security reasons.
Ozyildiz also reiterated Turkish Foreign Ministry's statement of avoiding to travel to Lebanon unless absolutely necessary.
Gunmen had abducted Friday a Turkish pilot Murat Akpinar and his co-pilot Murat Agca in Lebanon's Beirut city. A group named "Visitors of Imam Reza" claimed the responsibility for abduction of the two Turkish pilots.
Last year in May, 11 Lebanese were kidnapped on their way to return back to their country after visiting the tomb of Imam Ali Reza in Iran. Two out of 11 were later released with Turkey's mediation.
