Roads Blocked after Man Kidnapped from Cherokee in Baalbek's Shlifa

A man was kidnapped Thursday from his Cherokee Laredo in the Baalbek region, according to state-run National News Agency.

“Gunmen in a yellow Toyota FJ Cruiser and a white Grand Cherokee kidnapped Lebanese citizen George Kahmazian after intercepting his gray Cherokee Laredo near the Dar al-Ajaza al-Islamia center in the Baalbek region town of Shlifa,” NNA said.

The kidnappers took the man to an unknown destination and investigations are underway to identify the perpetrators, the agency added.

Later in the day, NNA said Kahmazian's brother Ara received a phone call from the kidnappers, who asked for a $50,000 ransom.

“At once, Kahmazian held a gathering at Baalbek's Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishopric in the presence of Archbishop Elias Rahhal,” the agency added.

“George is our son and if he doesn't return to his home, we will take escalatory measures that might reach the extent of closing the archbishopric in Baalbek,” Rahhal warned.

Meanwhile, several residents of Douris and relatives of Kahmazian blocked the town's entrance with burning tires, cutting off the route that leads to Baalbek and northern Bekaa.

Later, the road was blocked at the southern entrance of the city of Baalbek in protest at the abduction.

On March 7, Michel al-Saqr, the 10-year-old son of prominent businessman Ibrahim al-Saqr, was abducted at gunpoint in the Bekaa city of Zahle. He was released the next day.

And On March 6, Antoine Daher al-Kaadi was kidnapped by masked gunmen on the Ablah road in the Bekaa and was freed 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 sparked by the war in Syria.