Dutch Diplomat Abducted in Baalbek, Transferred to Syria and Then Immediately Released
A Dutch diplomat was kidnapped in Lebanon some ten days ago in a development that has raised European fears of the return of the abduction of foreigners in Lebanon that was prevalent during the civil war years.
A European diplomatic source told the Central News Agency on Wednesday that the Dutch diplomat, who resides in Damascus, was abducted by tribes from the Baalbek region as he was passing through the area.
He was placed in an SUV with tinted windows and no license plates and taken to Syria through an illegal border crossing.
Upon arrival in Syria, he was handed over to security forces at a checkpoint, who upon learning his identity ordered that he be immediately be returned to Lebanon.
As soon as he was released, the diplomat informed the Dutch government of the kidnapping.
The Netherlands consequently informed other European governments of the incident, who intensified contacts with Lebanese security officials to put an end to the abduction of foreigners.
Meanwhile, European diplomatic sources voiced their fears of the return of such kidnappings in Lebanon in light of March’s abduction of seven Estonian cyclists, the recent bomb attack against a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon patrol in the South, and this latest kidnapping.
almost 13 years
If this report is true, it is a very serious incident that raises several questions:
Kidnapers are working in Lebanon to deliver foreigners in Syria; how come these non licensed plates continue to operate after the abductions of the 7 estonians and the known kidnapping risk in the Bekaa area?
The foreigner was supposedly checked by syrian "security forces" who asked he/she be released. This is implying these forces didn't intercept the kidnappers. They behaved as if the "merchandise" is not of interest...
Are we supposed to understant they ordered the kidnapping?
almost 13 years
Now at least we know where the Estonians are. The sad thing is that the peoplel who ordered the kidnappers are now ministers in our esteemed government. Balad zift....
almost 13 years
I hope this will get the new government working on bringing back the Lebanese also kidnapped in Lebanon and taken to Syria.
almost 13 years
Where is le petit Phenicien to tell us the kidnappers are wahhabies linked to mustakbal and deliver their victims to the Syrian regime.
BAD COLD IS LISTENED, the point is not that KIDNAPERS TO FOREIGNERS are in fashion now, the important is to see the way where they were free, that is the interesting.