U.S. citizens have been released in Iran and Lebanon.
Before this morning’s briefing, President Trump reported the release of two U.S. citizens imprisoned in the Middle East. The administration is intensifying efforts for the release of a third person being detained abroad amid the global pandemic.
Amer Fakhoury is a Lebanese-born naturalized American citizen who was held for six months on decades-old charges that had not been made prior to September of last year. He was detained while on vacation with his family and subsequently tortured. He will return to his home state of New Hampshire.
A U.S. Navy veteran and cancer patient, Michael R. White, has been released on medical furlough from a prison in Iran. While he is not yet free to leave the country as he undergoes medical evaluation, Secretary of State Pompeo has stated that efforts continue for his full release.
Journalist and former Marine, Austin Tice, is the third person the president’s administration is working to free. He was abducted in Syria in August 2012.
“Recovering Americans held captive and imprisoned abroad continues to be a high priority of my administration,” the president said.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For President Trump as he seeks to free imprisoned U.S. citizens.
- For Secretary Pompeo and the State Department as they work to negotiate the release of wrongfully held Americans overseas.
Sources: Reuters, NY Times, Fox News, Washington Times
