2023-05-30 07:49:37
Lebanese Army (AFP)
Two days after his kidnapping, the Lebanese army announced the release of the Saudi citizen, who disappeared in Beirut two days ago.
He explained that a patrol of the Intelligence Directorate was able to free the kidnapped Saudi “Mishary Al-Mutairi”, after a qualitative operation on the Lebanese-Syrian border.
He also indicated, in a brief statement posted on his Twitter account, today, Tuesday, that a number of those involved in the kidnapping had been arrested.
Immediately, Prime Minister Najib Mikati congratulated the army for its effort to release the Saudi citizen and arrest those involved.
He also reaffirmed the need to control the security situation and not allow any threat to the security of the Lebanese or nationals present in the country. He stressed the keenness of the Lebanese authorities to return all Arab nationals to the country, and to prevent any threat to them, in addition to preventing the use of Lebanese lands as a starting point for any action that threatens the security and safety of Arab countries.
Hijacked phone monitor
And the Lebanese Minister of Interior, Bassam Mawlawi, confirmed in an intervention with Al-Arabiya yesterday evening, Monday, that the security forces are following up the case of the kidnapped Saudi, stressing that this crime affects Lebanon’s relationship with Arab countries and brothers.
He also made it clear at the time that the kidnapped phone was monitored in more than one area in the capital, Beirut, but he denied that a phone signal was detected on the road to the Bekaa region or in the southern suburbs, according to what was previously reported.
While Al-Arabiya sources previously reported that the Saudi citizen works for Saudi Airlines, called “M.M.” He was seen for the last time near the “Al Biel” complex in downtown Beirut.
The ransom is $400,000
It also indicated that he was kidnapped at dawn on his way to his home in Aramoun after being watched by two cars carrying 7 people, including those wearing military uniforms.
While his family later received a call from his phone number, asking his kidnappers for $400,000 in exchange for his release.
For its part, the Saudi embassy in Lebanon announced, in a statement yesterday evening, that it had received a communication from the family of a citizen, who lost contact with him at dawn on Sunday, May 28, 2023.
Although the incident is not the first of its kind, especially in the recent period due to the deterioration of the economic situation, Lebanon has rarely witnessed in recent years kidnappings of Arab or foreign nationals.
It is noteworthy that the relationship between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon had witnessed some tensions two years ago, and the Kingdom decided on October 29, 2021 to recall its ambassador, Walid Al-Bukhari, for consultations, and to leave the Lebanese ambassador to the Kingdom. It also urged its citizens not to travel to Beirut at the time, in order to preserve their security.
However, the return of the ambassadors resumed later, in April of last year 2022.
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