BEIRUT: The state should warn the public against visiting the restive northeastern town of Arsal, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea said Wednesday, criticizing the absence of security which has led to a string of recent kidnappings.
Geagea specifically referred to the case of Toufic Wehbe who was kidnapped last week in Arsal and released Tuesday after his family reportedly paid a hefty ransom.
“Wehbe remained in captivity for seven days until he was released yesterday after a ransom worth $50,000 was paid by his family,” Geagea said after meeting with Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk.
Geagea said he did not support the family’s decision to pay the ransom.
“All security forces disavowed the crime,” however, they considered that they “don’t have any influence inside the town of Arsal,” Geagea said.
If security forces can’t ensure the safety of citizens in Arsal, then the defense ministry should have at least warned the Lebanese against visiting the town, since the absence of security forces makes them highly vulnerable to kidnapping, he added.
“The situation in Arsal is not tolerable whatsoever and it’s not acceptable for the culture of kidnapping to spread among the Lebanese.”
Geagea called on the public prosecutor in the Bekaa to find out who transferred the ransom to the captors in order to find out who collected the payment.
“No political faction supports these kidnappers but at the same time they are not acting alone,” Geagea said.
Advertisement
No comments:
Post a Comment