Son of Businessman, 10, Kidnapped in Zahle
The 10-year-old son of a businessman was abducted at gunpoint on Friday in the eastern city of Zahle, the state-run National News Agency reported.
According to NNA, Michel al-Saqr was heading to school with the family's driver when four masked gunmen in a Grand Cherokee SUV kidnapped him.
The Grand Cherokee intercepted al-Saqr's Kia vehicle, pointed a gun at the driver before driving off with Michel.
Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) reported that the father was informed that he might be the victim of an abduction ordeal.
The reasons behind the abduction remain unclear.
Several residents blocked the Zahle highway to protest the abduction of Michel.
Judge Farid Kallas issued a search warrant for the kidnappers of the boy after inspecting the site of the incident.
The abduction is suspected to be kidnap-for-ransom.
Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq tasked security agencies to take all the necessary measures to release Michel.
The minister called for a security meeting to address the kidnapping phenomenon in the country.
Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi later condemned Michel's kidnapping, demanding that he be released immediately “for the sake of his childhood and parents.”
“Such crimes violate people's dignity that is granted to them by God,” he remarked in a statement.
Moreover, he deemed the kidnapping phenomenon as “alien” to Lebanon and its traditions, because it tarnishes its image and threatens its security and stability.
The patriarch urged President Michel Suleiman, Prime Minister Tammam Salam, the Army Command, and all security agencies to take the necessary measures to prevent future abductions and lift political cover off the perpetrators.
Later on Friday afternoon, Zahle lawmakers demanded security forces to arrest the "terrorists" behind the kidnapping.
"We call on security forces to work on releasing Michel al-Saqr and arresting the terrorist kidnappers," MP Tony Abou Khater said on behalf of his fellow Zahle MPs at a press conference.
He added: "We have decided to keep our meetings open and we will communicate with all security and military officials, with the cities' figures and parties that are responsible for restoring security in Zahle."
Brital municipality chief Abbas Ismael also held a meeting over the kidnapping and the conferees announced their solidarity with the young abductee and his family.
"We demand the Lebanese state to do its job and free the kidnapped minor and return him to his family,” they said.
On Thursday, Antoine Daher al-Kaadi was kidnapped by masked gunmen on the Ablah road in the Bekaa and was released later during the day in unknown circumstances.
The kidnap-for-ransom phenomenon increased last year and has been strongly criticized by officials from across the political spectrum.
Lebanon had also witnessed a wave of sectarian abductions caused by the war in Syria have also taken place.
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