Seifeddine in ISIL's Grip as Syrians Mediate his Release

A Lebanese man, who was snatched earlier this week in the northeastern border town of Arsal, was reportedly handed over to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Media reports said on Thursday that Syrian opposition figures are mediating the release of Hussein Seifeddine.

The head of Arsal Municipal chief Ali al-Hujeiri said in comments to Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) that the abduction ordeal of Seifeddine will end during the day

He pointed out that calm was restored in the town of Arsal after a Syrian delegation intervened to resolve the case.

Head of Arsal Municipality to VDL (100.5): Calm was restored in the town after a Syrian delegation intervened. The abduction ordeal of Seifeddine will end during the day.

On Wednesday, gunmen from the Ezzeddine family deployed on the streets of Arsal in the wake of a series of kidnappings in the area over the past few days.

Several Syrian youths were abducted in retaliation to the kidnapping of Seiffedine on Monday from Arsal's square. He was reportedly taken to the town's outskirts.

Seifeddine was kidnapped from a shop owned by members of the Ezzeddine family.

On Tuesday, gunmen from Seifeddine family kidnapped two men from the square of the northern Bekaa town of al-Labweh only to release them few hours later as a goodwill gesture.

Arsal and al-Labweh had witnessed several abductions and counter-abductions linked to the Syrian conflict in recent years, with the crisis in the neighboring country inflaming sectarian tensions across the border.

Arsal largely supports the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad while neighboring al-Labweh is predominantly pro-Hizbullah.

Hizbullah has sent elite fighters across the border to assist Assad's embattled regime against rebels and jihadists seeking to topple it.

The border town of Arsal hosts thousands of refugees who fled the conflict in Syria.

H.K.

G.K.