Turkish pilots released after Syria hostage deal is struck

Two Turkish Airlines pilots who were kidnapped in August in Lebanon have been turned over to Lebanese security officials and are expected to fly home later, Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency said.

Pilots Murat Akpinar and Murat Agca were abducted two months ago by relatives of one of 11 Lebanese hostages taken in May 2012 by opposition fighters in Syria.

Two of those hostages were released previously, and the remaining nine were freed today, paving the way for the Turkish pilots' release.

Turkey is seen as wielding considerable influence over rebels fighting against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.