11 Syrians kidnapped across Lebanon

Eleven Syrian nationals were kidnapped in Lebanon Thursday in a spree of abductions targeting mainly Syrians across the country. A Syrian national was snatched in the east Lebanon town of Chtaura, security sources told The Daily Star. Hussam Yehya Khadroun, 42, was in his Mercedes when four gunmen in another vehicle forced him out of his car at gunpoint. He was parked across from Chautra hospital. The abductee is originally from Damascus but resides in the Bekaa, east Lebanon where he has lived and worked for 30 years. Khadroun’s kidnapping comes amid a spree of abductions across the country, targeting mainly Syrian nationals. Earlier Thursday, the Al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi group announced it has kidnapped five Syrians in Beirut and five others in the Bekaa, warning that they would kidnap any Syrian opposition members who supported the Free Syrian Army. They are demanding the release of 11 Lebanese pilgrims who were kidnapped in Syria on May 22. Commenting on the recent kidnappings, Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdel-Karim Ali said Thursday that Syria was keen on Lebanon’s security. “[The kidnappings] are aimed at inciting psychological war and Syria is keen on Lebanon's security” Ali told reporters following his meeting with former President Emile Lahoud. The Daily Star