Zahle Set for General Strike to Press for Release of Abducted Man as Kidnappings Intensify across Lebanon

The eastern city of Zahle is set to hold on Thursday a general strike to protest the unknown fate of Fouad Daoud, who was kidnapped last week by unknown assailants.

A meeting held on Tuesday at the Bishopric of Our Lady of Deliverance in Zahle called for the general strike and for a sit-in near the city's Grand Serail.

According to An Nahar, prominent figures of Zahle decided during the meeting to also hold talks with Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji to tackle the matter.

Unknown assailants abducted 53-year-old Daoud in Baalbek and contacted his wife demanding $250,000 in exchange for his release.

According to An Nahar, the meeting was in the presence of the city's bishops, MPs, current and former ministers, party officials and head of municipalities.

Jean Daoud, the brother of Fouad, pointed out that “the whole city backs our case as we share one fate.”

Later on Wednesday, Prime Minister Najib Miqati headed a security meeting denouncing the increased rate in kidnappings across the country.

“The abduction of citizens undermines state authority and stability... It must not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Miqati said.

He called on the competent security agencies to take strict security measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

“Citizens must cooperate with the security forces,” the PM said.

For his part, Interior Minister Marwan Charbel told reporters at the Grand Serail that Miqati tasked Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi to work on a draft law to double the penalty of kidnappings to be submitted at the cabinet later.

Lebanon has been lately witnessing a spree of abduction of wealthy businessmen. The kidnapers are either setting the men free after the payment of ransom or releasing their captives after the mediation of some officials.

Ali Ahmed Mansour was also abducted Tuesday night by unknown assailants on the junction of the town of Gaza in Western Bekaa, while Youssef Beshara, the brother of the head of the Bakeries Association, was released for a ransom of $400,000, which was paid by his wife near Mar Mikhael church in al-Shiyyah.