U.S. Congressman Condemns Kidnappings, Syrian Infiltrations in Lebanon

U.S. Congressman Steve Chabot has expressed dismay at the alleged kidnapping of Syrian opposition figures in Lebanon and condemned the infiltrations of Syrian troops into Lebanese territories.

“I am appalled by reports of the kidnapping of Syrian dissidents in Lebanon by agents and allies of the Syrian regime,” Chabot said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

He was referring to the alleged involvement of the Syrian embassy guards in the abduction of the Jassem brothers and possibly the disappearance of Shebli al-Aisamy.

“In a further violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, the Syrian army continues to enter Lebanese territory in clear violation of international law,” Chabot, who is the chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, said.

Chabot stressed that the kidnappings and the infiltrations were in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701.

“Those actions by the Syrian regime remove all doubt that the rule of the Assad family must end now,” he said.

He urged the Lebanese government “to take all necessary measures to protect its citizens, to secure its borders, and to protect Syrian refugees and dissidents who have fled the bloody Assad regime.”

The Congressman also called on the cabinet to fund the Special Special Tribunal for Lebanon that is set to try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri’s suspected assassins.