Iran on Friday, February 10 confirmed reports that seven Iranian engineers have been released by Syrian opposition groups after more than one month.

Fars news agency quoted officials at the Energy Ministry as saying that the seven engineers who were kidnapped early January by a Syrian opposition group in Homs have been released.

The seven engineers were all contractors of the Iranian Energy Ministry and working on a power plant project in Homs, the Fars report said.

On Tuesday eleven Iranians kidnapped by Syrian rebels were released and transferred to Turkey. According to the Syrian authorities, a total of 22 Iranians had been seized since the uprising erupted. Iranian pilgrims frequently visit Shiite Muslim shrines in Syria, M&C reported citing DPA.