Kidnapper Killed as Army Frees Hostage after Weeklong Captivity

The army announced on Saturday that it succeeded in releasing Andre Elias Gerges who was kidnapped by an armed gang on May 5.

It said in a statement that unknown assailants had kidnapped him from his residence in the town of Mizyara in northern Lebanon and demanded a ransom in exchange for his release.

Army intelligence investigations led it to the kidnappers in region of al-Qamouaa in Akkar in the North.

Upon detecting the army, the abductors opened fire at the unit and it in fired back, killing one of the assailants.

A soldier and another kidnapper were injured in the clash.

It was also not clear whether the ransom had been paid.