Father Paolo Dall'Oglio, who disappeared in Siria on July 29
(ANSAmed) - ROMA - Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Marta Dassù on Friday told RAI Radio Anch'Io program ''there is no confirmation either way'' on the fate of Jesuit priest Paolo Dall'Oglio, who disappeared in Syria on July 29. Her comments followed on an opposition Syrian National Coalition communique saying that Dall'Oglio is alive and calling on those involved to guarantee his safe return. This contradicted previous reports that the Italian priest had been killed by jihadists.
''We have heard conflicting reports. The last news is that Dall'Oglio has headed to the Kurdish border to attempt a mediation,'' Dassù said. ''We opened all possible channels there, but we have no confirmation. We are still convinced the less said about him the better.''
The Syrian National Coalition (SNC) on Friday called on all combatants to come forward and guarantee the safe return of Paolo Dall'Oglio. ''In spite of unconfirmed reports that Dall'Oglio had been killed, the information out of Raqqa is that he is still alive, but has not been located,'' the main Syrian opposition platform in exile said in a communique from Istanbul. The SNC is ''deeply concerned'' over the fate of the Italian priest. ''The SNC once more urges all Raqqa battalions and local councils to do everything in their power to guarantee the safe return of Father Paolo. The SNC stresses the need for all revolutionary forces to follow the guidelines of the Syrian revolution, such as the protection of civilians, journalists and priests,'' the communique said.(ANSAmed).
