Kidnapping-Terrorism Suspect Arrested as Army Searches for Abducted Man

The Lebanese army said Friday that it arrested in the eastern district of Baalbek a Lebanese man wanted on kidnapping and terrorism charges as troops searched for an abducted university student.

Farhat Ali Farhan Ismail, who was arrested in the town of Brital, has been involved in the detention of several people last year and has participated in terrorist activities, robberies and shootings, said an army communique.

The military said troops found in his possession an M4 assault rifle, a gun and ammunition.

According to the state-run National News Agency, the army clashed with suspects wanted for several crimes, including the recent kidnapping of a young Lebanese man.

The clashes erupted when troops were pursuing the gunmen on the outskirts of Brital, NNA said.

Soldiers were able to arrest Ismail and three others, among them a Syrian and Palestinian, the agency added.

Marc al-Hajj Moussa, 20, was kidnapped at dawn Thursday on a road in the Metn town of Mazraat Yashouh while on his way home in Bikfaya.

His car, a Toyota Land Cruiser, was later found in the area of Majdel Tarshish.

Moussa is a student at Balamand University.

G.K.

D.A.