A source in the Iranian embassy in Syria denied the release of the 48 Iranian pilgrims who were kidnapped earlier Saturday by armed men near Damascus.

The source, who asked not to be named, told Xinhua that the pilgrims have not yet been released, disclosing no further details.

However, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV said the kidnapped Iranians have been released.

The discrepancy could not be resolved with the absence of official comments.

Earlier in the day, a source in the Iranian embassy confirmed the kidnapping of 48 Iranian pilgrims, who were snitched while en route to Damascus from the airport.

Kidnapping of Shiite pilgrims in Syria has become common in recent day as the crisis in Syria has veered toward a sectarian rift between the majority Sunnis, the backbone of the anti- government movement in Syria, and the ruling Alawitte elite, an offshoot of Shiism.