Aleppo: Islamists demand ransom for priest's release

(Vatican Radio) The Armenian Catholic Bishop of Aleppo, Bishop Marayati, is appealing for the release of Fr Michael Kayal who was kidnapped on 9th February last by an Islamic rebel group located some 30 kilometres from the city.

The rebels have made contact with the Archbishop and informed him to mediate with the Syrian authorities with the aim of securing the release of 15 rebel fighters from Syrian prisons. The rebels also made financial demands to the tune of 250 thousand dollars. On February 20, the rebels allowed Fr Michael to contact his mother for only one minute to prove that he is still alive.

Also Sunday, Mouaz al-Khatib, a respected preacher who has led the main Syrian opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), since soon after its creation in November, announced his resignation.

SNC leaders are due to attend an Arab League summit this week. The Arab League has suspended Assad's membership and recognised the SNC as the legitimate representative of the people of Syria where a two-year civil
conflict has killed more than 70,000 people.

Qatar's prime minister welcomed the SNC's appointment of Ghassan Hitto as provisional prime minister - an appointment which upset liberals in the coalition who said the SNC was becoming dominated by foreign influences and the Muslim Brotherhood.