Saudi citizen kidnapped in Lebanon; million dollar in ransom demanded

A Saudi citizen was kidnapped in Lebanon and a million dollars in ransom was demanded for his release.

The Saudi Embassy in Lebanon has been working with the security authorities at the highest level to release the abducted citizen unconditionally as soon as possible.

Abd al-Shamrawi, 32, the Saudi national married to a Syrian woman called Fasila Azir, was kidnapped near his home in al-Aqiba, Keserwan, in Mount Lebanon governorate.

The Lebanese police are searching for him near his home.

Al-Nahar, the Lebanese newspaper, mentioned that the police is searching for the Saudi abductee after his wife reported his disappearance.

A Lebanese security source said that the wife contacted the security forces today and reported the disappearance of her husband, pointing out that the investigations are going on to find out his location. The kidnapped Saudi citizen originally hails from Qatif in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Lebanese media sources said that the family of the Saudi national received a call demanding $1 million to release him.

"We are investigating the kidnapping of a Saudi citizen case and we will not allow anyone to exploit the political crisis to disturb the atmosphere", the Lebanese Interior Minister said.

The safety and security of Saudi nationals, and all Arab and foreign nationals, is a priority for the Lebanese authorities, and tampering with security and stability is a red line, and the security forces have been mobilized, he added.

Earlier, the Saudi Foreign Ministry asked its nationals residing and visiting Lebanon to leave as soon as possible, and also advised its nationals not to travel to Lebanon from any international destination.

source: Alarabiya