BEIRUT — The seven Estonian men abducted four months ago in east Lebanon were released in the Bekaa Valley last Thursday and are in good health.

After midday, Lebanese Interior Minister Marwan Charbel visited the French Embassy to check on the wellbeing of Estonians.

Lebanon’s foreign minister, Adnan Mansour, confirmed the release, saying the country could now put the distressful incident behind it.

The seven Estonian men were kidnapped at gunpoint by masked men shortly after entering into Lebanon through Syrian border. The abduction, which was surrounded in mystery, revived memories of the spate of kidnappings that took place during the country’s 1975-90 Civil War.

A security source told news agencies that the seven were released Thursday morning in Sahl al-Taybbeh, near the Bekaa Valley town of Britel.

A French delegation in the Bekaa then took charge of the Estonians and transported them to the French Embassy located in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton said the release took place “as a result of efforts undertaken solely by Lebanon and Estonia,” adding that France had only provided diplomatic assistance.

Estonia lacks a permanent mission in Lebanon.

The security source said Lebanese authorities would take the statements of the released captives to find out the circumstances behind their kidnapping and how they came to be set free in Sahl al-Taybbeh.

The previously unknown group Harakat al-Nahda wal-Islah (The Movement for Renewal and Reform) had claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of the Estonians but set no demands.