Syria Accused of Kidnapping 4 in Lebanon

[oberliner]

Source: NY Times

BEIRUT, Lebanon — The Lebanese police have accused Syria of orchestrating the kidnapping of Syrian dissidents in Lebanon, a country that has served as a haven for them since the uprising against the government of President Bashar al-Assad began nearly eight months ago.

In one case, Shibli al-Aisamy, 89, a founder of Syria’s governing Baath Party who has become a leading voice of dissent against Mr. Assad, disappeared in late May while visiting his daughter outside Beirut. He went out for a walk and was picked up by people in a black sport utility vehicle, who spirited him across the border, the Lebanese police said.

In another case, the police said, three Syrian brothers, the Jassems, were kidnapped in February by rogue members of the Lebanese security forces using Syrian Embassy vehicles, again black S.U.V.’s. The Jassem brothers have not been heard from since.

In closed-door testimony before the Lebanese Parliament in October, the head of the Internal Security Forces, Gen. Ashraf Rifi, said Syria was behind both kidnappings and presented a detailed report with license plate numbers, cellphone records and statements from witnesses that he said implicated Lebanese security officers and tracked the cars to the Syrian border.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/01/world/middleeast/lebanese-police-accuse-syria-in-kidnapping-of-dissidents.html

[Arctic Dave]

1. Headline is misleading. Article says Lebonese security forces are the ones who did it

and they sent them to Syria. That is if any of this is true.

I guess if you are orchestrating uprisings in other countries you may face retaliation. At least they didn't blow up his house with a predator missile strike killing everyone inside.

[oberliner]

2. No it's not

The headline matches exactly what is said in the first paragraph.

[Arctic Dave]

3. Yes it is. When you read the entire article.

Lebonese security is the ones doing it and passing them on to Syria.

[oberliner]

4. No it's not

I've read the entire article. The headline matches exactly the content of the article.

Accusations are being made against Syria. Repeatedly, throughout the article this is clearly stated.

Even in your response you are stating that Syria was involved in the kidnapping, which is all that the headline is saying.

[Arctic Dave]

5. The headline says they are the ones doing it, they are not. (Accussed of)

In the article it says the Lebonese Security is the one doing it and giving them to Syria. How is Syria "kidnapping" anyone when the Lebonese are doing it?

That is like saying the US kidnaps someone when another country gives them to us. It happens quite often with drug smugglers and we try them here.