Syrian Rebels Free 48 Iranian Hostages In Exchange For More Than 2,000 Prisoners Held By Syrian Gov’t

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, freed Iranian hostages who were captured by the Syrian rebels since August, hold roses as they gather at a hotel, in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday Jan. 9, 2013. Rebels freed 48 Iranians on Wednesday in exchange for more than 2,000 prisoners, including women and children, held by Syrian authorities a deal struck after rare negotiations involving regional powers Turkey, Qatar and Iran. <AP Photo/SANA>

Released Iranian hostages are welcomed upon his arrival at the Sheraton Hotel in Damascus, Syria, Jan. 9, 2013. As many as 2,130 people were released from Syrian prisons in exchange of 48 kidnapped Iranians, a Turkish human rights activist told Xinhua Wednesday. In last August, a total of 48 Iranians were abducted by Syrian rebels in Damascus. Iran claimed them to be pilgrims, while the Syrian rebels alleged that they were Iranian military officials in Syria. <Xinhua/Bassem Tellawi>